Winter Weather Advice

Advice

Advice for winter driving:

For more information on guidelines for driver during the winter please click here

Advice on clearing snow outside your home:

Homeowners should not be deterred from clearing snow and ice from their driveways or the pavement outside their homes providing they do so carefully.The Government advice states:

“You can clear snow and ice from pavements yourself. It’s unlikely that you’ll be sued or held responsible if someone is injured on a path or pavement if you’ve cleared it carefully.”

For further advice on clearing snow please click here

Advice on keeping warm:

Cold and wintery conditions can cause severe illness and, in the worst cases, people can die. The cold weather, combined with low levels of sunlight after the clocks go back, means that many of us can feel in poor health. However, with some simple precautions, most people can be prepared for the cold weather and prevent much of the misery often associated with winter weather

Tips for keeping warm and well:

Keep warm. By setting your heating to the right temperature (18–21°C or 65–70°F), you can keep your home warm and your bills as low as possible. If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room throughout the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed. Remember to close curtains and shut doors to keep heat in the rooms you use most
Get your free flu jab if you are aged 65 or over, pregnant, have certain medical conditions, live in a residential or nursing home, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person, ask at your Doctors surgery all ages) or local pharmacy (pregnant or under 65 with certain medical conditions).
Look after yourself and check on older neighbours or relatives to make sure they are safe, warm and well. Layer your clothing and wear shoes with a good grip if you need to go outside.
If there is a threat of heavy snow make sure that you order your prescription in time and check with your pharmacy if they normally deliver to you.
Food is a vital source of energy, which helps to keep your body warm. Try to make sure that you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day and keep active in the home if you can. Plan your meals in advance and stock up on tins and frozen foods so that you don’t have to go out unnecessarily when it’s cold or icy.
Get financial support. There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills. It’s worthwhile claiming all the benefits you are entitled to before the winter sets in.
Have your heating and cooking appliances checked – carbon monoxide is a killer.

Where to get help

Isle of Wight Council
During periods of particularly cold weather the council may be able to help people who are street homeless and provide emergency Bed & Breakfast accommodation for a limited period of time. The council will also be facilitating a Night Shelter to open at the Downside Community and Learning Centre at Furrlongs in Newport from Monday 10 December 2012. For more information on these services please contact out of hours Wightcare on 01983 821105

If you need help monitoring the temperature in your home the council’s Wightcare service may be able to help you by fitting a temperature sensor for more details contact Wightcare on (01983) 821105 and ask about the Community Alarm Service.

Footprint Trust: Warmahome project
For information call (01983) 822282 or visit www.footprint-trust.co.uk

Age UK
For information call (01983 525282) or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/isleofwight

NHS Choices
Go to www.nhs.uk and search ‘warm’ or ‘keeping warm’ for useful information and advice.

Warm Home Discount

For those eligible, this scheme can lead to up to £130 off energy bills. For information, please see: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/overview

Government advice

Keep warm, keep well – http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/02/keep-warm-keep-well/

Weather forecast:

For the latest weather information please click here