Helping you Stay Safe and Warm in Winter
North East Derbyshire residents are being urged to follow advice to keep themselves safe and warm this winter.
North East Derbyshire District Council is working with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, Derbyshire police, the primary care trust and other agencies to make sure services continue to run as normally as possible in the event of severe snow, ice or flooding.
In cases of severe weather, problems can include increased pressure on health and frontline council services, possible local power cuts, disruption on roads affecting public transport, emergency services and staff getting to work, school closures and delivery of post, food and general supplies to maintain general services.
Tips to stay safe and well include:
- Maintaining portable gas heaters and checking electric fires are fitted with the right fuse and don't have frayed or damaged cables
- Ensuring central heating boilers are serviced regularly
- Making sure, if you have an open fire, that your chimney is swept regularly
- Ensuring paraffin heaters are thoroughly cleaned and the wick checked and trimmed
- Making sure portable heaters have a safety guard and not placing them near furniture, beds or curtains
- Having electric blankets serviced at least every three years
Derbyshire County Council's highways team is also offering some advice on staying safe on the roads during bad weather:
- Only travel if your journey is really necessary
- In icy conditions slow down, steer gently and avoid harsh braking
- Use dipped headlights if driving during snowfalls
- Check your lights are working and your windscreen washer is full
- If going on a long journey take a shovel, torch, boots, warm clothing, food and a hot drink and charged mobile telephone
The Department of Health has issued advice particularly aimed at older people:
- Keep warm at all times - wear clothing in layers and keep moving if possible
- Keep rooms - including the bedroom – warm and close windows; if your house is cold, body temperature will drop and catching a cold is more likely
- Warm the bedroom and bed before turning in for the night. Your bedroom should be kept above 18°C overnight
- If you are eligible for a 'flu jab make sure you have it
- If you are over 60, money is available for winter fuel bills and you may receive payments if the weather gets very cold
- You may also be entitled to free installation of central heating and home insulation.
Looking out for neighbours: if you have an older person as a neighbour or a relative, please look out for them in the winter months.
See the Warm Front website to see if you qualify for help towards insultation and heating improvements, or see out Energy Advice ways to save energy and save money.
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