On Dec. 1, Toronto Public Health released a series of suggestions for Torontonians to prepare for an expected cold winter.
Tips include dressing in layers, checking the weather report, wearing proper winter gear and going to shelters “if you normally spend long periods outside.” Toronto Public Health also suggests drinking warm beverages “other than alcohol.”
Another recommendation is to keep your home heated at 21 degrees celsius if elderly people or infants are present.
The city has two 24-hour cold weather drop-in shelters, open to all genders, at 323 Dundas St. E (Margaret’s Toronto East Drop-in Centre) and 25 Augusta Ave. (St. Felix Centre). The drop-in service will be officially available from Dec. 15 to Feb. 28 regardless of whether a cold weather alert is in effect.
Patricia Anderson, manager for Toronto’s Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, says pets are also welcome at Margaret’s Toronto East Drop-in and St. Felix Centre.
Twenty-four-hour, women-only, drop-ins continue to operate throughout the year. Fred Victor Centre is open at 67 Adelaide St. E. while Sistering’s is at 962 Bloor St. W.
According to The Weather Network’s November winter forecast, Canadians will be seeing a “return to the classic Canadian winter”. They’re predicting the mild cold season of the El Niña event of the past year will be a thing of the past soon.
For more information on how to stay warm during the colder days and nights check out Toronto Public Health.