With the first cold snaps of the season on the way and Wrenford Ice Days just weeks away, the City of Wrenford is launching a winter safety campaign. The campaign focuses on safe driving, proper vehicle maintenance, and protecting your home's water systems before the festival draws crowds to Riverside Flats Park.
Drivers need to be ready for icy roads and sudden snow. The City recommends installing winter tires before the first snowfall. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with blankets, food, water, booster cables, and a shovel. Allow extra travel time, slow down, and adjust your driving to match road conditions. Remember that the overnight on-street parking ban runs from December 1 to March 31, from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., so clear your vehicle promptly to avoid a ticket or towing.
Home preparation is just as important. Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Keep walkways and driveways well-lit and free of tripping hazards. Stock up on sand, salt, and snow shovels. If you live on a residential street, remember that the City plows main roads when there is five centimetres of snow and residential streets at eight centimetres.
Freezing temperatures also put your water service at risk. The City wants to make sure you know how to protect your pipes. Protecting water lines and meters from freezing has step-by-step instructions for keeping your indoor pipes warm and your water running. If your pipes freeze or you notice a sudden drop in water pressure, Report a water main break or the water service line maintenance and repair page explains how to use your shut-off key and when to call for help.
“Preparing your vehicle and your home now means fewer emergencies when the snow flies,” says Samuel Adeyemi, GM Infrastructure and Planning. “We also want everyone to enjoy the ice skating and events at Ice Days without worrying about frozen pipes or unsafe roads.”
The City is also reminding residents to stay alert while driving. Avoid any activities that may impair your ability to drive. Clear snow and ice from all windows, mirrors, and lights before you leave home. If weather conditions worsen, consider delaying your trip or staying home.
For more winter safety tips and to review the official winter parking and plowing schedule, visit the Water & Wastewater section or check the News & Events calendar for festival updates. Stay safe, drive carefully, and we will see you at the falls this February.