Outdoor fall risk forecast for Canadian cities
How icy will the sidewalks be? The SecurMEDIC Outdoor Fall Index turns the weather forecast into a simple daily rating for older adults and the families who look out for them.
Updated Wednesday 8:12 p.m. EDT
- 54 Low
- 1 Moderate
- 2 High
- 0 Extreme
Highest risk right now
All cities
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British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Ontario
- Ajax 9°C Low
- Barrie 11°C Low
- Brampton 9°C Low
- Burlington 10°C Low
- Cambridge 11°C Low
- Greater Sudbury 9°C Low
- Guelph 11°C Low
- Hamilton 10°C Low
- Kingston 8°C Low
- Kitchener 12°C Low
- London 13°C Low
- Markham 9°C Low
- Milton 10°C Low
- Mississauga 10°C Low
- Oakville 10°C Low
- Oshawa 8°C Low
- Ottawa 5°C Low
- Richmond Hill 9°C Low
- St. Catharines 11°C Low
- Toronto 10°C Low
- Vaughan 9°C Low
- Waterloo 12°C Low
- Whitby 9°C Low
- Windsor 17°C Low
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
SecurMEDIC across Canada
2 cities at High or Extreme outdoor fall risk today.
Medical alert systems for seniors across Canada
Every winter, icy sidewalks, stairs and parking lots raise the risk of a fall, from Vancouver to Halifax. A SecurMEDIC medical alert system lets your parent or loved one reach a professional operator at the press of a button, at home or on the go, anywhere in Canada.
- 100% Canadian since 2009
- No long-term contract
- 24/7 Emergency Response by Real People in Canada
- Canada-wide coverage
Three ways to stay protected, wherever you live in Canada
- Home medical alert device SmartSAFE Home™ with automatic fall detection, for seniors who spend most of their day at home.
- Mobile medical alert pendant SmartSAFE PLUS™, a waterproof SOS pendant for errands, appointments and walks around town.
- Medical alert watch with fall detection SmartSAFE EC100™, a waterproof, discreet watch that looks like an everyday watch.
Fall detection does not detect every fall, and false alerts can occur. Press the button whenever you need help.
How the Outdoor Fall Index works
Several times a day we get the latest forecast for each city and look for the weather that makes sidewalks dangerous: freezing rain and drizzle, ice pellets, rain on frozen ground, thaws followed by a refreeze, and wet or heavy snow. Uncertain precipitation counts for less. Official freezing-rain and winter-storm alerts raise the rating automatically.
The four levels
- Low Mostly clear walking; isolated icy patches possible.
- Moderate Slippery spots likely; take extra care.
- High Icy sidewalks likely; avoid unnecessary trips on foot.
- Extreme Dangerous ice; stay indoors if you can.
Questions and answers
What is the outdoor fall risk forecast?
It is a daily rating, from Low to Extreme, of how likely sidewalks, steps and parking lots are to be icy or slippery in your city. It is designed for older adults and their caregivers, because falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadian seniors.
Where does the weather data come from?
Forecasts and weather alerts come from Environment Canada and OpenWeather and are refreshed several times a day. SecurMEDIC calculates the outdoor fall risk rating from that data.
Is the rating a guarantee?
No. Conditions can vary from street to street, and snow clearing and salting make a big difference. Always look at the ground in front of you, and follow local alerts and public health advice.
What should I do if an older relative falls?
If they may be hurt, call 9-1-1 and don't try to lift them. Keep them warm and stay with them. A medical alert device lets someone who lives alone call for help even if they can't reach a phone.
The Outdoor Fall Index is general public information based on weather forecasts. It is not a guarantee of ground conditions or medical advice. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Weather data provided by Environment Canada and OpenWeather.