As our climate changes, homes in Toronto need to be resilient to the shocks and stresses of extreme weather. Toronto is hotter now than it was 50 years ago, and will face hotter summers, more rainfall and more intense storms in future.
Exposure to extreme cold can be harmful for your health. People with preexisting heart or respiratory conditions, older adults, infants and young children are the most at risk.
What You Can Do
Homeowners should maintain their heating system during the fall to conduct any necessary repairs. Consider upgrading your furnace and your building envelope to ensure efficient heating.
Tenants have the right to an indoor temperature of at least 21⁰C in their home between September 15 and June 1 of each year. Landlords must respond within 24 hours to any request about inadequate or no heat. If heating issues are not responded to in a timely manner you can contact 311.
Both homeowners and tenants can also take the following steps:
- Know how to prevent or thaw frozen pipes
- Know if any of your family, friends and neighbours could need assistance during an extreme cold event and check on them during such an event
- Take other steps to reduce your personal risk during extreme cold
