Gearing up for winter PART 3…

Hey everyone, we have posted about driving safety and about home maintenance to prepare for winter — and to finish off our series on “gearing up for winter” we are sharing information about extreme weather!

While there are benefits to being able to be outdoors enjoying winter activities, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of winter cold. This article posted on the Government of Canada website talks about extreme cold, and the factors that may make some people more vulnerable than others. It’s important to know about windburn, frostbite, and hypothermia, as well as how to mitigate these risks.

You can also be prepared for different kinds of winter weather (including storms). There is an article here that touches on winter storm preparedness, equipment, and cleanup.

Stay safe!

Gearing up for winter PART 2…

Hey everyone, we posted last week about being prepared for winter conditions when you drive — and this week we are sharing resources to prepare your home for winter conditions!

There are many lists of home maintenance tasks available online that will help you get your home ready for winter, like this one from CBC News, this one from the Government of Canada website about keeping the heat in, this one on the Home Depot website, or this one from the David Suzuki Foundation that focusses on making your home energy efficient for winter.

Most resources agree, by doing some proactive maintenance tasks in advance of freezing weather you can prevent damage and stay safe over the winter.

Stay safe!

Happy New Year!

As we ring in the New Year, all of us at Community Connections are wishing you the best for a 2019 filled with happiness and prosperity!

It’s the Winter Solstice!

Today (December 21st) is the Winter Solstice, which is officially the “shortest” day of the year!

While today marks the least amount of daylight we see for the year here in the Northern Hemisphere, it also means that the nighttime is the longest of the year.  Close to the North Pole, there is darkness 24 hours a day!  Here is a picture that shows how that works:  https://goo.gl/images/1paZiy

The opposite of the Winter Solstice is the Summer Solstice, which will be on June 21st.  When it is time for the Summer Solstice at the North Pole, there is daylight for 24 hours a day!

If you want to learn more about how the Winter and Summer Solstices work, you can check out this YouTube video:

A stellar sky!

The team out at the Kelowna office was in for a treat tonight with a beautiful winter sky – though the pictures don’t do it full justice!

How are the winter skies out your way?

Winter is Coming…

…and that doesn’t just mean it’s time to watch Game of Thrones on TV!

As we get ready to greet the wilds of winter, check out these winter driving safety tips courtesy of ICBC – and their special guests, Frosty and the Iceman!

Keep warm, dress in layers, wear sturdy footwear and stay safe with these Seven Steps to Cold Weather Safety on the Government of Canada website.

Need some ideas to keep active through the winter?  Check out ideas from the online community!

And, if you happen to build a snow fort, send us a picture!  Welcome, Winter!

What’s your favorite winter sport?  Let us know in the comments?

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