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VICTORIA – With severe winter weather conditions across B.C. expected to carry on for a number of days, provincial staff will remain in constant communication with local governments and key service providers, ready to respond should provincial support be requested.
Provincial Emergency Program
operations centres remain activated, and staff will continue to be ready to
assist local governments and ensure their requests for support are met as
quickly as they are received. The Province
is able to help local government emergency response efforts with resources such
as emergency social services mobile support teams, additional search and rescue
teams, and technical expertise such as real-time river forecasting.
With current forecasts calling for additional snow by mid-week, it is
important for all British Columbians to ensure they are prepared for
emergencies at home and while traveling. Individuals and families should have
an emergency preparedness kit in their homes and vehicles. These kits should
contain enough water and food to last for at least 72 hours and other
essentials such as blankets, extra clothing, flashlights, extra batteries and a
wind-up or battery powered radio.
In the event of power outages, B.C. Hydro recommends customers unplug or turn off all non-essential
appliances, lights and equipment in preparation for restoration of power. If
you are using a portable generator, always ensure it is outdoors in a
well-ventilated area and do not directly connect it to house wiring.
In addition, people are reminded to never use hibachis, barbeques or
other carbon monoxide producing devices to heat their homes or cook indoors
when the power is out. If an alternate safe heating source is not available,
blankets and extra clothing should be used to stay warm. Staying with family or
friends who have a safe heating source is also an option.
If traveling is absolutely necessary, tips to help ensure a safe trip include:
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Make
sure both you and your vehicle are properly prepared for adverse driving
conditions.
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Winter
season tires should already be installed on the car and tire pressures checked.
·
Remember
that four snow tires will provide a greater amount of traction and control for
driving in severe winter conditions.
·
As
temperatures drop, tire pressure decreases. Check when the tires are cold, to
ensure the most accurate pressure reading.
·
A
qualified service centre should already have ensured that the motor has been
tuned up, fluid levels like oil and anti-freeze checked, and that the battery
is fully charged.
For more information about emergency preparedness and emergency kits,
visit www.pep.bc.ca. For more safety information about power
outage updates, visit www.bchydro.com. For
road conditions, visit www.drivebc.ca and
for winter driving tips, visit www.icbc.com.
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Senior Communications Officer 250 952-4846 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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