Cold Weather

Protect yourself during cold weather

During cold weather, everyone is at risk, but those most at risk of developing a cold-related illness include infants and children, seniors, people living in poverty or without shelter, and people who work or exercise outdoors. To protect yourself:

• Stay indoors in heated spaces
• Dress in waterproof layers, cover exposed skin and wear a hat
• Keep children indoors when it's -15 C or -20 C with wind chill
• Take breaks from the cold, shelter from wind and keep moving
• Drink warm non-caffeinated fluids
• Check on at-risk neighbour
• Be cautious when shovelling snow

Winter 2025-2026 Cold Weather Response Plan

Niagara Region Homelessness Services has a plan to help keep people experiencing homelessness safe during cold winter weather.

When temperatures drop, we work with community partners to provide supplies, share safety information, and make sure those who are unsheltered have access to support and warm spaces.

Our approach is based on temperature and weather conditions.

• When the temperature drops to 0 C

  When it starts to freeze, Niagara Region and its partners take steps to reduce the risk of cold-related harm.

  Actions include:

  • Sharing information about the health risks of cold weather
  • Providing winter supplies like hats, gloves, blankets and hand warmers

  Partners include outreach programs, shelters, EMS, police and soup kitchens.

• When the temperature drops to -5 C

  As temperatures get colder, outreach efforts increase to help those staying outdoors.

  Actions include:

  • More frequent outreach visits to encampments and other outdoor areas
  • Safety checks and distribution of winter supplies by Niagara Assertive Street Outreach
  • Encouraging people to come inside and use emergency shelters
  • Niagara Region Transit staff helping to identify and refer anyone who may need support
  • Shelter staff providing winter supplies to people turned away due to capacity limits and connecting them to outreach teams
• When the temperature drops below -15 C or during extreme weather

  A cold weather alert is issued when it's extremely cold or during a major snow or ice storm.

  During a cold weather alert:

  • Niagara Region notifies all homelessness agencies and first responders about the alert and available supports
  • Our website and communication channels are updated to keep the public informed
  • Emergency overnight shelter capacity increases by 80 beds
  • Niagara Assertive Street Outreach teams conduct daily wellness checks, provide supplies and extend hours (as staffing allows)
  • Emergency shelters lift service restrictions, where it's safe to do so, to make sure people can come inside

Health effects during extreme cold temperatures

There are two major health risks of extreme cold.

• Frostbite

  In extreme cold weather, exposed skin can become frostbitten in 30 seconds.

  Symptoms include white / grayish area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy with numbness.

  Seek immediate medical attention.

• Hypothermia

  Symptoms / signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling or uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness.