Winter is a fickle time of year and, if not careful, it can cause harm and damage to yourself or your home.

So, Environment Canada is here to help with some simple tips from their Warning Preparedness Meteorologist, Natalie Hasell.

She says a good idea is to have emergency kits in you car and home, and to check them often to make sure that nothing is expired.

Hasell added that it’s good to check your house also.

“We've had a number of pretty bad events this summer, as we do every summer, and maybe you didn't notice that there was damage,” said Hasell. “So now’s the time to check.”

She said another good reason to check now is to stop the damage from getting worse, and to make sure it gets repaired before it can't be over the winter.