City of St. Thomas

• The elderly, young children, people who are pregnant, and those who are overweight 
• People with chronic medical conditions (such as heart disease and diabetes) or mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia) 
• People who are experiencing homelessness
• People with limited mobility
• People who exercise vigorously outdoors, work outdoors, or work in places where heat is emitted through industrial processes 

• Checking the weather forecast before going outside and modifying your plans accordingly
• Drinking plenty of liquids, especially water
• Wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing
• Seeking shade and avoiding sun exposure
• Taking a break from the heat by spending a few hours in a cool place
• Taking cool showers or baths until you feel refreshed
• Blocking the sun by closing curtains or blinds during the day
• Preparing meals that do not require the stove

• Dizziness or fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Rapid breathing and heartbeat
• Extreme thirst
• Decreased unration 

Tornadoes can bring massive winds, carve destructive paths, and can sometimes strike without time for a tornado warning. Learn the signs of a tornado and what to do before, during, and after a tornado event.

BEFORE A TORNADO

• Prepare your emergency kit
• Prepare your household emergency plan
• Know the potential warning signs of tornadoes (for more information, check the Potential Tornado Warning Signs section below)
• Seek shelter immediately if a tornado warning has been issued, or if you believe a tornado could occur
• Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning:

• Severe thunderstorms, with frequent thunder and lightning 
• An extremely dark sky, sometimes highlighted by green or yellow clouds
• A rumbling or whistling sound
• A funnel cloud at the rear base of a thundercloud, often behind a curtain of heavy rain or hail

 
DURING A TORNADO

The safest thing to do during a tornado is to take cover in a well-supported basement area, stay close to the ground, and watch for flying debris, especially glass.  

• If you are indoors, the safest place is the lowest and most central room. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture, use your arms to protect your head and neck, and don't open windows or use elevators
• If you are outdoors, go inside right away if possible, otherwise lie flat in a ditch or sunken ground and cover your head with your hands. DO NOT go under an overpass or bridge
• If you are in a mobile home, go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately
• If you are in a vehicle or driving, drive to the nearest solid structure and take shelter. If no shelter is available, pull off the road, park the vehicle, turn on your hazard lights and seek shelter in a low lying area away from your vehicle

• Remain in a covered position for at least 60 seconds after the tornado has passed
• Follow instructions from local emergency officials
• If you have to evacuate your home, make sure to bring your emergency kit and other essential items
• Only make phone calls if someone's life is in danger - otherwise use texting or data-based messaging to communicate
• If you suspect your home is unsafe, DO NOT stay or re-enter
• Don't light matches or turn on electrical switches until you're certain there are no gas leaks or spilled flammable liquids.

Freezing rain occurs when raindrops fall from a warm layer of air into air that is below freezing and become supercooled. When the supercooled droplets strike a surface below 0°C they instantly freeze, forming a layer of ice. 

DURING FREEZING RAIN

• Pay attention to branches or wires that could break due to an accumulation of ice 
• Never approach power lines that could be live 
• Avoid driving if possible when freezing rain is forecast. Wait several hours after freezing rain ends to allow for ice roads to be sanded or salted 

• Stay indoors if possible
• If you must go outdoors, dress appropriately including hooded jackets, warm mittens, and a hat
• If visibility becomes limited, DO NOT try to walk to another house or building unless there is a rope to guide you
• If you must travel during a winter storm, do so during the day and keep someone apprised on your route and ETA.

• Stay in your vehicle
• Allow fresh air in the vehicle by opening the window slightly on the side away from the wind
• Keep moving to avoid falling asleep
• Periodically exercise hands and feet to keep warm
• If you attempt to shovel snow from around your car, do not overexert yourself
• Run the engine about 10 minutes every half-hour if the exhaust is not blocked with snow
• REMEMBER: you can't smell fatal carbon monoxide fumes.

Fire and explosions can cause extensive damage to property through smoke and burn damage. They can also result in evacuations of large numbers of people, and the closure of roads, homes or businesses.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home, especially outside all bedrooms
• Regularly check and change batteries twice a year
• Prepare and practice your escape plan by identifying all exits and a spot outside your home for all family members to meet if evacuation is necessary

• Sound fire alarm and alert others
• Evacuate the building via the nearest exit and ensure all doors are closed behind you
• DO NOT use the elevator
• Call 911 (DO NOT assume this has been done)

If you cannot leave the building:

• Stay close to the floor
• Cover your nose and mouth to avoid smoke inhalation
• Move to the nearest window or balcony
• Wave a piece of cloth to attract attention from emergency services personnel
• Meet the firefighters when they arrive and tell them where the fire is 

If you witness or cause a hazardous material spill, always make the safety of those around you and yourself the top priority. DO NOT attempt to clean up a hazardous spill if:

• You don't know the material type
• You don't know if it is toxic
• It is too large to contain
• You lack the necessary protective equipment to do so yourself

• Evacuate immediately and restrict entry to the spill area
• Follow safety cleanup procedures if it is a non-toxic spill
• Properly dispose of your spill at the Community Recycling Centre on specified Household Hazardous Waste days 

• Alert others in the area and evacuate
• Immediately call 911
• Provide the material type, quantity, and the location of the spill to first responders
• Remain in a safe location until first responders contain the spill

• Listen for official advice from emergency responders, who may ask you to shelter in place, go to higher elevations, or evacuate the area
• If you suspect a chemical substance has been released in a closed area, try to avoid breathing the fumes and evacuate as quickly as possible. Contact emergency services
• Exposure to a chemical substance may require decontamination or quarantine and medical attention. Keep track of symptoms to tell medical personnel to help identify the type of chemical and necessary treatment

High-speed winds can cause death, injury and property damage. If there is a wind warning in effect for your area, expect inland winds to be blowing steadily at 60-65 km/h or more, or winds that are gusting up to 90 km/h or more.

WIND SAFETY

• Stay alert
• Watch for signs of wind - swirls of dust on the ground, approaching waves on water, or shelf clouds beneath thunderstorms are often associated with strong gusty winds
• Seek shelter - preferably indoors, away from outside walls and large glass surfaces
• Avoid large open spans in buildings such as gymnasiums or malls

• Stock up on non-perishable foods gradually over a series of weeks. Be prepared for two weeks, should you become ill
• Fill prescriptions and stock up on necessary over-the-counter pain/fever medications
• Make plans for your children or other dependents in case you may become ill
• Stock up on supplies for your pets
• Stock up on cleaning supplies to ensure often touched surfaces are cleaned regularly 
• Ensure you have adequate sanitary/hygiene supplies 
• Make preparations with your workplace in the even you become ill or are required to self-isolate

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just washed your hands with soap
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand
• Stay home if you are sick
• Do not visit people in hospitals or long-term care facilities if you are sick
• Follow all instructions as directed by national and local public health officials 

• Banks may close, so ensure you have money at home for emergency purchases
• Keep extra essential supplies, such as good and medicine, on hand in the event that stores close
• Have a back-up plan in the even child care facilities and schools close
• Transportation, including bus services, airlines, and taxis, may be disrupted, so look for additional information before you travel

Drinking water advisories are public announcements issued by Southwestern Public Health when recent water tests or events indicate an adverse water situation. Advisories remain in effect until laboratory tests show that the water is safe for consumption

TYPES OF DRINKING WATER ADVISORIES:


BOIL WATER ADVISORY

Issued when the health unit suspects or has confirmed that harmful bacteria are present in the drinking water and the water is not safe for drinking or other uses. Boiling the water will kill the harmful bacteria.

DO NOT DRINK WATER ADVISORY 

Issued when the health unit suspects or has confirmed that unacceptable levels of chemical contaminants are present in the drinking water and the water is not safe for drinking or other uses. Boiling the water WILL NOT remove the contaminants. An alternative water source, such as bottled water, must be used.


DO NOT USE WATER ADVISORY

Issued when the health unit suspects or has confirmed that chemical/radiological products or contaminants are present in the water and the water is not safe for drinking or other uses. In this case, the water from the drinking water system should NOT be used under any circumstances and skin contact must also be avoided.


HEALTH INFORMATION ADVISORY

Issued when the health unit has determined that there are elevated levels of sodium or naturally occurring fluoride detected in the drinking water that could pose a health risk to certain individuals. Not all persons would be affected by these levels, and it is for informational purposes only. For example, elevated sodium levels in drinking water will only affect those on sodium-restricted diets.