Ottawa is a relatively safe city. That said, commonsense precautions should be taken: Avoid poorly lit streets at night, be careful on Elgin Street and in the ByWard Market when the bars let out, keep an eye on your wallet or handbag when traveling on crowded thoroughfares, and don't leave valuables in your car (lock them in your trunk). There are a couple of neighborhoods where you should be especially careful: the area known as Lowertown, outside of the ByWard Market, the area around Bank and Gilmour streets, Wellington Street between Bayswater and Parkdale avenues, and the corner of Murray Street and King Edward Avenue. These locales tend to draw a seedy crowd.

There are panhandlers around the ByWard Market and near the Rideau Centre. Most are polite, but a rise in crystal meth use has made aggressive panhandling a growing problem, particularly near King Edward Avenue and on parts of Rideau Street.

If you are unaccustomed to frozen winters such as those in Ottawa, take extra care when walking on streets, sidewalks, porches and other paved areas. Ice on these surfaces can be difficult to see, and you can take a nasty spill if you slip.

For emergencies requiring police, dial 911. For other police services, call 613-236-1222.

For the most part, Ottawa poses no particular health problems. Late June and July can be extremely hot and humid—it's important to keep hydrated and wear sunscreen. November-February can be the opposite—extremely cold. Appropriate coats, headwear, gloves and footwear are essential. There is no particular danger from wildlife or insects in the city, but it is essential to take insect repellent for trips into the Gatineau or any forested area, especially during the summer months.

The Ottawa Hospital has two campuses: the General Campus at 501 Smyth Road and the Civic Campus at 1053 Carling Ave. (phone for both is 613-722-7000; http://www.ottawahospital.on.ca). There's also the Montfort Hospital, 713 Montreal Road (phone 613-746-4621; http://www.hopitalmontfort.com) and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road on the General campus (phone 613-737-7600, Poison Information Centre 613-737-1100; http://www.cheo.on.ca).

For nonemergencies, the many medical clinics include Elgin Family Medical Centre at 270 Elgin St. (phone 613-237-2121), and Appletree Medical Centre, 368 Slater St. (phone 613-236-9441; http://www.appletreemedicalgroup.com". It's best to book an appointment at these centers, but if that's not possible, the walk-in wait time at the medical centers for nonemergency care is much shorter than at the hospitals.

The closest 24-hour pharmacy to downtown is Shoppers Drug Mart at 1309 Carling Ave., in Westgate Shopping Centre (phone 613-722-4277; http://www.shoppersdrugmart.ca).

Be sure to get travel insurance before leaving home, as non-Canadian residents must pay for medical services in Canada.

For medical emergencies, dial 911.

Ottawa has generally good access for disabled travelers. Sidewalks are broad enough to accommodate wheelchairs, and many intersection curbs are sloped to allow easier access. Most public buildings have automatic doors, and an increasing number of restaurants, clubs and hotels offer facilities designed to meet disability guidelines. Cinemas, theatres, museums, the National Arts Centre, shopping malls and larger stores are also quite accessible. Older buildings, especially in the ByWard Market area and on Bank Street, may have limited accessibility. It's best to call ahead to check when and where access is possible.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis are available at the airport and in town (phone 613-523-1234). About 50% of OC Transpo service provides door-to-door transport, including reception at the airport, to passengers who cannot use OC Transpo's regular, fixed-route service, but you must fill out a registration form first and get it signed by a doctor or other health professional. Once registered, you must reserve your trip at least a day in advance (phone 613-244-7272; http://www.octranspo.com).

In winter, snow can be a serious hindrance, with roadside banks rising several feet/meters after the streets have been plowed. The city does an excellent job of keeping snowbanks cut down and crossings free, but in very heavy snow conditions over several days, it can become a problem. Even after being plowed, sidewalks are often icy, limiting maneuverability for travelers using wheelchairs, canes or walkers. Outside of the downtown area, streets may be totally impassable. For more information, contact the Disabled Persons Community Resources (phone 613-724-5886; http://www.dpcr.ca).

Do get into the spirit of things during hockey's Stanley Cup playoffs. If the Ottawa Senators are playing, head to a sports bar and wear something red, white and black. If the Sens are losing, slip out before the last five minutes of the third period to avoid the weeping hordes.

Don't light up in an enclosed public space. A citywide by-law bans smoking in the public areas of shops, malls, restaurants, bars and many other buildings, as well as in taxis and limousines.

Do assume that Canadians have a good knowledge of American politics and pop culture, since American television, movies and magazines are widely available.

Don't forget that distances on road signs are measured in kilometers, and temperatures in weather forecasts are in Celsius. One kilometer is roughly 0.6 miles, and 20 degrees Celsius is 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do pronounce "Rideau"—as in the river, the street and the shopping mall—as "REE-doh," not "Rid-DO." (The name, which means "curtain" in French, comes from the name of Rideau Falls, where the Rideau River falls over a cliff into the Ottawa River.

Don't criticize Canadian foreign policy. It's one of the few things that will upset many Canadians.

Do remember that distances in Canada can be vast. Neither Toronto nor Quebec City is a practical day trip from Ottawa, as each is a four- to five-hour drive away.