Health hazards

Danger: asphyxiation and poisoning

Do not use fuel-burning space heaters, lights, generators or portable stoves designed for outdoor use inside your home. Because they are operated without a chimney, these devices can cause asphyxiation or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Generator precautions

• According to the Québec Electrical Code, generators must be installed by a master electrician. You risk electrocution, a short circuit or fire if the connection to the distribution panel is incorrect.
• Generators are not designed to be used inside. They must be set up outside and sheltered from the weather.
• Normally, generators must not be operated for extended periods without interruption. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• After starting the generator, connect your electrical devices one at a time–not all at once.

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In winter, do not remain in an unheated house

If you have no choice, take the following precautions:

• Dress warmly and gather all family members in the same room.
• Wear several layers of dry clothing, thick socks and footwear. Cover your neck and head (30% of body heat escapes from there). Choose fabrics that repel humidity (polyester, polypropylene, mixes of different fibres, etc.).
• In cold and dry air, humidity that evaporates on the skin leads to body heat loss. This is why it is important to avoid sweating in your clothes and to wear several layers of clothing that can be removed when you are more active (before sweating) and put back on afterwards, before your body loses too much heat.
• Wrap yourself in a space blanket (found in first aid kits). Blankets and sleeping bags also help to reduce the loss of body heat, but they will not warm you up if you are already cold.
• If you must sleep in a cold bed, first eat and do some exercise, which will help to heat up your clothes and sheets.

Don't	Do
Remain in contact with cold objects (floor, furniture, etc.). Drink alcohol, coffee, soft drinks or cold liquids, or consume tobacco products. Wear damp clothes.	Snack often on foods rich in carbohydrates (such as fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts). Drink hot, sweet beverages and hot soup. Move constantly.
This is just a sample of recommendations; you can learn more by asking a healthcare professional.

Uncontrollable shivering = danger of hypothermia

Hypothermia is characterized by a sensation of cold followed by uncontrollable shivering.

If you have uncontrollable shivers, act quickly! Go to a warm place immediately. If that's not possible, seek help immediately. Do not remain alone!

If you stay in the cold after the shivers start, your judgement could be affected, leading to inappropriate decisions. You will go on to have feelings of euphoria, as though you were drunk, and you will become disoriented and confused, which will make things worse. In some cases, hypothermia can lead to coma and death.

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it produces it. This can take place when the temperature in the house drops below 15.5°C (60°F).

Groups at greater risk of hypothermia include children, pregnant women, seniors, mobility-impaired people, people with acute illness (flu, etc.) or chronic illness (diabetes, heart condition, asthma, etc.) and people taking certain types of medication or drugs.

If someone has symptoms of hypothermia, get them to a hospital as quickly as possible. If that is not feasible, dress them in dry clothes, wrap them in blankets and do not expose them to sudden temperature changes, such as a hot bath.