With the recent weather in Alberta, Mother Nature is reminding us that winter conditions can be encountered any
time of the year. Being aware of (and preparing for) the upcoming seasonal changes is important in both our work
and personal lives.

A few (early) seasonal reminders to prepare for our house and home:

Heating your Home:

• Inspect all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors – verify they work and change batteries which may be old / expired
• The central heating system should be cleaned annually, inspected and serviced by a certified HVAC (heating,venting and air conditioning) contractor.
• Flammable materials should be maintained (minimum) one metre away from your furnace – this may include clothing, paint products, cardboard and more 
• Space heaters should be turned off when you leave the house or go to bed – do not place space heaters near furniture or drapery

Drivers. In Alberta.. I think there are a few jokes around this.

When the snow flies, at times people forget that extra precautions are necessary. It is important to prepare
ourselves and our vehicles, and it is important to drive for the conditions

Fall / Winter Driving Tips:

• Slow down: Speed limits posted on the highways and municipal roads are for ideal driving conditions, which are considered to be sunny summer days
• Look ahead: Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead of you – remember to look far ahead as you drive so you can recognize hazards and have plenty of time to respond
• See and be seen: Turning your headlights on helps with visibility during the dark winter months and during inclement weather, it also helps other drivers see you
• Get ready: Prepare your vehicle for the tough winter month – verify your battery, ignition system, lights, brakes, heating and cooling system and windshield wipers are all in working order
• Monitor the weather: If conditions are bad the safest strategy is to avoid driving – if you must travel, provide yourself extra time and drive to the conditions
• Prepare yourself and your vehicle: Always be prepared for winter driving – wear or carry warm clothes, have a fully charged cell phone and equip your vehicle with a winter survival kit
• Maintain visibility: Clear snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors and the roof to help other drivers see you on the road – after starting your vehicle, wait for the fog to clear from the interior windows before driving so you will have full visibility

Wildlife on the roads

With Alberta’s hunting season picking up, wildlife will begin exiting their natural habitat and may encroach on populated areas. Wildlife encounters result in an increase in vehicle collisions, particularly around dusk or dawn.

• Each hour 4 to 8 large animal collisions take place in Canada
• Alberta borders the Canadian Rockies – prime habitat for wildlife
• On average, 6 people are fatally injured each year in Alberta following a collision with a large animal
• On average, 323 vehicle-animal collisions result in injury each year
• Wildlife are unpredictable, however, there are two “peak times” when the risk of animal collision is at its highest: May to June and October to January