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Extreme winter conditions
A heavy winter snowfall, when glazed frost becomes a factor or a cold snap takes hold, can affect the health of residents and the City of Laval’s transportation and infrastructures.
What is frazil and what dangers does it pose?
When rivers freeze over, slush-like crystals and pieces of ice called frazil can form on the surface. Frazil can restrict the flow of water and cause local flooding.
Frazil generally forms on rivers between December 15 and February 15 of each year.
Prevention of flooding due to frazil
The City of Laval has identified zones that are more prone to frazil-related flooding. When water reaches critical levels in these zones, residents are notified about the potential dangers.
Did you know?
Every year, between November 15 and April 15, the City of Laval’s Division sécurité civile monitors winter conditions and notifies the public about any potential dangers.
Winter power outages
Power outages can occur when the electrical grid becomes overloaded or ice builds up on equipment.
To prepare for an outage
Did you know that residents are responsible for their own safety in emergency situations? For that reason, it is important to be prepared by making sure that you have all the supplies required to meet your basic needs for a minimum period of 72 hours, until power is restored or emergency response teams are mobilized.
- Never use an outdoor appliance inside the home, such as a heating unit, a light fixture, a propane stove or a barbecue. They can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Check your battery-powered smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Shut off electrical appliances, such as stoves that were in use at the time of the outage.
- Stop cooking and remove any pans or pots from the oven or the stove.
- Place your generator outdoors, at a safe distance from the building, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and install a carbon monoxide detector. Exercise caution when refuelling, and follow the safety guidelines issued by the Service de sécurité incendie.
- Favour flashlights instead of candles to avoid fires.
- Lower the thermostats to a minimum.
- Unplug all electrical and electronic devices, leaving only one light on per storey to avoid a surge when the power is restored.
- Limit the number of times that you open the refrigerator and the freezer. Your perishable foods will keep for longer if you do.
- Return home during the day. You’ll be better able to see any obstacles and potential dangers.
- Before turning the power back on, make sure that the:
- Hot-water heater is full.
- The kitchen stove is turned off.
- Restore power by turning on the master switch.
- If your home uses natural gas, contact a specialist to turn on the gas again. Gradually turn on electrical devices, including heating appliances such as baseboard heaters.
- Open the water inlet and turn on the taps to allow the air to escape.
- If your medications were left in the refrigerator after it was turned off, return them to the pharmacy.
- If you have an individual well, make sure that the water is potable by following the Government of Québec recommendations. [lien externe]
- After a power outage of six hours or more, follow the Government of Québec guidelines to know which foods to keep or throw out after an outage.
