COLD WEATHER ADVICE from the MET

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Below is advice from The CORNWALL County Council Pages

Emergency Planning - Severe Cold Weather Advice

What you should do now:

Locate the stop-cock inside your home, this is usually under the kitchen sink. Also, know the location of the stop-cock outside of your home, if you cannot find it, contact Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water have a 24 hour emergency information telephone number:-
Information on water services and emergencies

0800 052 0130 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Keep torches (and any batteries) to hand in case lighting fails or you need to switch off power.
Keep important emergency numbers near your home - a 24-hour plumber, and an emergency salvage and clean-up company, usually listed under 'Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners' in directories.
Check your buildings and contents insurance details. Most will be pleased for you to arrange damage limitation with plumbers and cleaners yourself. Note any emergency contact telephone numbers.
If your house has any exposed pipes, lag them with thick material, old blankets etc. If lofts are very cold, leave trap doors open.
If you are away from your house overnight or for any long period, leave the heating system on a low setting to prevent pipes freezing. If practical switch off water and drain pipes.
Ensure everyone living in your home knows where the water stop cock and electricity mains switch, are located.
If you have a battery radio check it and ensure you have spare batteries.

Getting information during severe cold weather:

Listen to local radio for advice and updates
School closures
Traffic and road disruptions
Public 'Helplines'

Switch on - Tune in - Stay listening

Read notices and advice from the local press, libraries, Age Concern etc, regarding welfare support available and any cold weather payments scheme.

If you think a pipe is frozen, but has not burst:

Contact a plumber or if it is safe try to thaw the affected pipe using a hair dryer or hot water bottle (Do NOT use any naked flame to do this). Be aware of the dangers of electricity and water.
Store some water, for personal and toilet needs, for when you have to switch the mains water of later.

If you find a burst pipe, or have water dripping:

First switch off your electricity at the mains - BUT IF THERE IS ANY DANGER OF MAINS SWITCH BEING WET SEEK ADVICE FIRST. Do not touch any light or power fittings until mains has been disconnected.
Turn off water at the stop-cock.
Phone for a plumber, and if extensive damage is likely, phone your house insurance emergency number for advice, or get in touch with an emergency salvage and clean-up company. Remember you will have to pay for these services if you have no insurance cover.
Think about the effects of no water or electricity in your house - if you have problems - ask neighbours or family for help.

REMEMBER -

No matter how bad the situation. Ensure the safety of people before property. Call the fire brigade if you face a flooding situation which you cannot cope with.

Check your house now and also after a cold spell, before the thaw sets in.

Be good neighbours - check people living around you.

Below is advice from The Met Office (Wales Area)
/ SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS

Before snow or ice

Make sure you know what to doIf you have to make a journey when snow is forecast, make sure you have warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade, and let someone know when you expect to arrive and your route.

Try to wait until the roads have been gritted before travelling

Put grit or cat litter on paths and driveways to lessen the risk of slipping on compacted snow. Check on vulnerable neighbours

During snow or ice

Avoid travel if possible.
If you must drive check the Highway Code for advice on driving in ice and snowy weather. A summary of the advice is: Take care around gritters. Don't be tempted to overtake. Slow down — it can take 10 times longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions, so allow extra room. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. If you start to skid, gently ease off the accelerator and avoid braking. If braking is necessary, pump the brakes don't slam them on. If you get stuck, stay with your car and tie something brightly coloured to your aerial
If you go outside wear several layers of clothing and keep dry to prevent loss of body heat. Watch out for signs of hypothermia — uncontrollable shivering, slow/slurred speech, memory lapse and drowsiness and frostbite — loss of feeling in and pale appearance of fingers, toes, nose and ear lobes. Keep moving your arms and legs to help the blood circulate

After snow and ice

Be careful when walking or driving on compacted snow — it may have turned to ice. Take care when shovelling snow. Cold air makes it harder to work and breathe, which adds some extra strain on the body and can be the cause of heart attacks in the vulnerable.

The advice above is from the Met office pages - ttp://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/europe/uk/advice/snow.html

The advice at the top of the page is from the CORNWALL County Council Pages
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=2724

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COLD WEATHER ADVICE from the MET

Emergency Planning - Severe Cold Weather Advice

Information on water services and emergencies