Severe weather advice
Severe weather conditions can cause major disruption and
damage. We can, however, prepare ourselves for bad weather to
reduce the risk of injury to ourselves and others and damage to our
property.
Storms
- Close the doors and windows of your home
- Secure loose objects like garden furniture to stop them being
blown around
- Stay indoors as much as possible and only travel if
necessary
- After a storm, don’t touch any electrical cables which may have
blown down
Snow and ice
- Stay indoors as much as you can
- Only travel if it is really necessary
- If you must travel, make sure you take emergency items with
you (see ‘Preparing your car’ below)
- Keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours and relatives
Heat waves
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding
alcohol
- Keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day
(11am-3pm)
- Use SPF 15+ sunscreen if you go out into the sun
- Wear a hat and loose cotton clothing
- Try and avoid physical outdoor activities in the heat
- Keep cool and stay in the shade as much as possible
Loss of power
A power cut in your home can cause inconvenience. If you lose
power, there are a number of things you can look out for:
- Check if street lights are out and if your neighbours have lost
power to see if the problem only affects your supply
- See if you can reset your circuit-breaker or ‘trip switch’,
which is usually near the fuse box or electricity meter
- Keep your freezer door shut and your food should stay frozen
for around 12 hours
- Turn off electrical equipment around your home, such as your
television
- If there is anyone in the family who has electrical equipment
to help a health condition, can this be powered by batteries? If
so, make sure you have some charged batteries to hand in your
home