Ward 12 Extreme Weather Information

Every winter, some Calgarians will experience freezing water pipes, service lines, water meters and water outages. This is a common occurrence and happens in many Canadian municipalities. Find out information about prevention and what to do if this happens to you.

• Check your furnace exhaust on the side of your home to make sure it's clear of snow and ice to prevent it from shutting off or having CO2 issues in your home (Carbon monoxide a silent threat worth paying attention to during cold snap | Globalnews.ca).
• Make sure outside pipes for gardening are closed.

Be safe with your vehicle:

• Check for local weather advisories and watch temperatures to make sure you are dressing appropriately for the weather. Include these warm items in your vehicle. 

• Any running, unattended vehicle can be a target, however, work vehicles (including delivery vehicles) and pickup trucks are among the most common vehicles stolen in Calgary.

  This winter, Calgarians are reminded to:

  • Use a remote starter or stay with your vehicle as it warms up
  • Never leave your keys – neither your primary set nor a spare set – inside your vehicle
  • Use a steering wheel lock
  • Always keep your vehicle locked

  It’s not just your car – it’s also what’s in it

• The CPS is also reminding Calgarians to never leave children, pets, valuable items or sentimental items inside their vehicles.

• Items you should never leave in your car include:

  • Cellphones
  • Computers or tablets
  • Jewelry
  • Clothing
  • Cigarettes and lighters
  • Shopping packages
  • Garage door openers
  • Documents with your address or personal information, such as driver’s licences, vehicle registration documents and proof of insurance

• Read more about Operation Cold Start for more tips.

Keeping Pets Safe

Animal Services recommends the following safety tips for pet owners during the colder months:

• Limit outdoor exposure: minimize the time your pets spend outdoors during extremely cold weather. Shorten walks and outdoor activities to protect your pet from frostbite and hypothermia.
• Layer up: some breeds are more sensitive to the cold than others. Consider using pet-friendly sweaters or coats to provide additional warmth, especially for short-haired or smaller breeds.
• Protect paws: the salt and chemicals used to melt snow and ice on sidewalks can be harmful to your pet's paws. Consider investing in dog boots to provide an extra layer of protection. If boots aren't an option, make sure to wipe your pet's paws with a damp cloth after walks to remove any potential irritants.

In addition to these safety tips, Calgary Animal Services emphasizes the importance of licensing your pets. Licensing your pet is not only a legal requirement but also a crucial step in ensuring their quick and safe return if they happen to get lost. The cost for licensing a cat is $21/year and for a dog is $44/year.

Licensing your pet ensures your participation in our First Ride Home program. If your pet becomes lost, rather than incurring fees for both pet retrieval and lacking a license, your animal will be safely returned to you without any additional cost. Our peace officers will personally attempt to deliver your pet to your home using the information linked to their license. This eliminates the need for your pet to be brought to the Animal Services Centre, reducing the stress for both you and your pet, and the potential for added fees after the first day at the shelter.

For more information on pet safety, licensing, and other services provided by Calgary Animal Services, please visit calgary.ca/pets

Parachute for Pets offers day warming spaces for unhoused individuals and their pets.  Additionally, they offer safekeeping for pets for individuals to access shelter and/or other services.  Social workers are on staff to help connect individuals with services and resources.

Have suggestions for information that would be useful to share? Don't hesitate to reach out and make a suggestion on social media or email [email protected]

Stay Warm!