Weather in recent years seems to be getting more extreme. Severe weather in winter isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be life-threatening, particularly for elderly people.
Be prepared for severe weather
©InfoIt’s a good idea to get prepared well in advance of winter, with the right clothing, food, equipment and contingency plans.
Keep an eye out for severe weather warnings from the Met Office.
If you’re going out, never be afraid to wear many layers of clothing. And don't forget to cover your head - a simple winter hat will do a lot to protect your internal body temperature.
In your home, make sure heating is working efficiently and consider buying portable Calor gas or oil-fired heaters for emergencies.
Spend a little time now gathering essential items in a handy bag - one for home and one for travelling - and you’ll be prepared if sudden bad weather means you get stranded at home or while on the move.
What should go in your bag at home?
- Torch
- Battery radio
- Toiletries / first aid kit
- Long-life food and bottles of water
- Important documents (eg. insurance policy)
- List of emergency contact numbers
- Spare keys to your home / car
- Pencil, paper, penknife and whistle.
What should go in your travel bag?
- Torch
- Battery radio
- Mobile phone
- Cash and credit cards
- List of emergency contact numbers
- Winter boots, warm clothing and waterproofs
- Ready-to-eat food, bottled water and warm drink in flask.
During severe weather
Elderly people are especially prone to hypothermia and pneumonia. Unfortunately, they are also the most likely to be living in older houses without adequate heating, so call in regularly on elderly friends, neighbours and relatives to see if they need help staying warm or getting provisions.
Motorists:
©InfoStop and offer roadside assistance if you see someone's car has broken down during severe weather; you could be saving someone's life.
In areas where heavy snow is likely to fall, always carry a blanket in your car. Also, carry a torch, a brightly-coloured headscarf, matches, some chocolate bars, a flask of hot soup, a mobile phone and a sign that says HELP in big bright letters. If you break down or get stuck in snow, don’t leave your car – it will get noticed before you will. Put the HELP sign in your window, tie the headscarf to your car's aerial, turn off the engine and curl up in the blanket. Don’t run your car's engine for more than a few minutes at a time and make sure its exhaust isn’t blocked with snow.
After severe weather
When the severe weather has passed, remember that it catches many people unaware every year in the UK, so always be prepared to keep safe and to help others.