Home > Severe Weather > WeatherSafe > Winter Weather > During Severe Winter Weather
Winter Weather: During Severe Winter Weather
Severe Weather Safety and Advice From SkyWarn UK
When severe winter weather is imminent or already occurring in your area it's time to put your winter weather plan in to action. The first thing to do is keep up to date with any severe weather alerts issued for your area.
Safety Tips for Staying Indoors
- Electric space heaters should be used with extreme caution. Keep them a safe distance from flammable items such as curtains. Do not put them on furniture or near water, and keep children away from them.
- Keep a fire extinguisher near to hand in areas where you may be using an electric or gas heater
- Use an indoor heater only in areas that are ventilated, ensure it does not leak gas or fumes in to your home.
- Conserve heat and fuel by temporarily closing off heat to unused rooms
- Eat regularly and drink plenty of water. Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages should be avoided.
- If power to your home is interrupted, use torches and battery powered lanterns rather than candles whenever possible.
- If you do use candles, do not leave them unattended when lit
- Wear warm clothing, in multiple layers if heating fails
- Allow taps to drip so as to help prevent pipes from freezing
- If your pipes do freeze, do not use a flame to thaw them. Use a hairdryer or allow them to thaw naturally.
Safety Tips for Outdoors
When severe winter weather or extreme cold is expected, you should avoid going outside whenever possible. If you must go outside then dress warmly and return inside as soon as possible.
- Wear multiple layers to help stay warm. You should also wear a hat, scarf, gloves, a waterproof jacket, and boots.
- Make sure to keep as dry as possible. Water against the skin from wet clothes will make the body chill rapidly.
- Don't ignore shivering. If you shiver persistently then it is a sign you should return indoors immediately.
- Avoid over-exertion when shovelling snow, performing other hard work, or lifting. Extreme cold puts extra pressure on the heart. If you can avoid outside work then you should do so until temperatures warm up.
- Avoid ice if possible. It is very easy to slip and fall on ice covered surfaces. Use rock salt and grit to treat icy surfaces.
Travel Safety Tips
If possible avoid driving when winter weather is forecast as even small amounts of snow can make road conditions treacherous. If you must travel then follow the tips below:
- Keep to main roads as these are more likely to be treated. Avoid hills and stick to the flattest route possible.
- Avoid driving at night and try to travel with a companion if you can
- Ensure you have a blanket in the car with you should you become stranded. Also ensure you have bottled water or a flask of warm drink.
- Let family members know where you are going and what time you expect to arrive
- If a snowstorm or blizzard forces you to stop driving try and pull of the road in a safe place and put on your hazard lights.
- If you are stranded for a long period of time, run your engine for 10 minutes every hour to stay warm. Open a window slightly for ventilation while the car is running. Keep the exhaust clear of snow.
- If you have to spend the night in the car, switch on the interior light so rescuers can see you.
|
|
