What is the risk of cold weather?
Cold weather temperatures can result in frostbite, hypothermia, slips and falls, and even death. According to Health Canada, the general risk of injuries like windburn and frostbite increases when the wind chill reaches minus 27 and below. Everyone is at risk if not dressed appropriately. However, some people are more quickly affected by the cold – particularly young children, older adults (65+), people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, and those with certain medical conditions.
Be winter ready!
- Download the WeatherCAN app to get directly notified of ECCC alerts.
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Get advice and support:
- Call 2-1-1 to reach Community Navigation of Eastern Ontario (CNEO). CNEO provides social services assistance (e.g., accessing warm clothing, contacts for community outreach services)
- Call 3-1-1 for information and assistance on helping someone get out of the cold, including transportation to shelter.
- Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice such as concerns about mental health and wanting to speak with a professional.
- Call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency such as frostbite or hypothermia.
- Visit www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/ColdWeather to find information on cold weather and resources in our community, including an interactive map of Places to Warm Up in Ottawa.
- Visit www.cneo-nceo.ca/publications-and-lists to find CNEO’s List of Out of the Cold locations (Ottawa) 2024/2025. CNEO also has local social service and support information.
