14 January 2016
Weather warnings issues
Weather warnings issued, Met Office and
Public Health England urge people to take care
Today, (14 January 2016) a Level 3 Cold Weather
Alert has been issued for all regions of England, including the
South West.
Level 3 alerts are issued when severe weather is
occurring, when average temperatures have dropped to 2°C or below,
and/or widespread ice and heavy snow is present.
Dr Angie Bone, Head of Extreme Events at Public
Health England (PHE) said:"The Met Office has advised that many
places are going to feel really cold for the next few days, which
may be a bit of a shock after our recent milder weather, so it's
really important people take extra care when out and about.
"It's worth remembering that while most outdoor
slips, trips and falls in weather like this are to those who are of
working age, accidents can happen to anyone.
"If you're staying indoors, have plenty of warm
food and drinks to stay warm. Try to maintain indoor temperatures
to at least 18°C, particularly if you are not mobile, have a long
term illness or are over 65, and check weather forecasts and plan
your day around them.
"Also take some time to think about how the bad
weather may affect your friends and family, particularly if they
are older or very young or have pre-existing health conditions.
These groups can be particularly vulnerable. Remember that older
people may not go outside to the shops, to hospital appointments
and so on when weather is bad, so think what you could do to help
them.
"Although most of our advice on keeping warm and
well in cold weather may seem like common sense, it's important to
remember that cold kills, even in places where the temperatures
aren't at their lowest."
Paul Gundersen, Chief Operational Meteorologist
at the Met Office said:
"It will turn much colder for all parts of
England over the next few days. Spells of sleet and snow at the
start of the period will become increasingly confined to the North
Sea coast and hills, giving way to cold, crisp days and sharp
overnight frosts with a risk of ice. Frosts may also be severe at
times, particularly where there is lying snow.
"As winds fall light there is an increasing risk
of freezing fog patches forming overnight and locally where this
freezing fog lingers temperatures may stay sub-zero all day. The
cold weather currently looks like lasting into the early part of
next week with a trend towards less cold conditions during the
second half of next week."
The Cold Weather Plan for England sets out a
series of actions that health and social care organisations,
voluntary and community groups, and individuals can take and plan
for cold temperatures to help reduce cold-related illnesses and
deaths.
Top tips to prepare for colder weather:
· look out for friends and
family who may be vulnerable to the cold and ensure they have
access to warm food, drinks and are managing to heat their homes
adequately
· try to maintain indoor
temperatures to at least 18°C, particularly if you are not mobile,
have long term illness or are 65 or over
· stay tuned for weather
forecasts, ensure you are stocked with food and medications in
advance (have deliveries or ask a friend to help)
· take weather into account
when planning your activity over the following days
· avoid exposing yourself to
cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at a higher risk of cold
related illness or falls
· discuss with friends and
neighbours about clearing snow and ice from in front of your house
and public walkways nearby, if unable to do so yourself.
Further advice can be found by visiting www.nhs.uk/staywell.
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