Winter Weather Advice

Some practical help and guidance on keeping your car, home and business protected during the adverse weather conditions.

In The Car:

Cold weather can play havoc with cars. Dead batteries are the main cause (32%), followed by cars turning over but won’t start up (15%). In fact car drivers are 50% more likely to breakdown in January, February and March when temperatures are often colder, than any other month of the year.
Our advice to drivers during freezing weather conditions:
* Refer to local authority and news/media websites for updates of road conditions, accidents and road closures.
* Follow guidance in the media (radio, TV, etc.) and only drive if your destination is absolutely necessary.
* If you must travel, make sure you have certain items in the vehicle with you e.g. shovel, de-icer, warm clothing and blankets, food and a flask of hot drink and a fully-charged mobile phone.
* Adapt your driving style to the conditions: start off in a higher gear than normal (e.g. 2nd) to reduce wheel spin, be smooth and gentle with steering and brakes and allow much longer breaking distances than you would normally (especially when approaching junctions).
* Be alert for ice (when the steering feels “light” to the touch) and bear in mind it could lie below freshly fallen slow.
* If you do have an accident and the vehicle is immobilized, use hazard warning lights to alert other drivers. If the accident involves another vehicle just get the drivers name, registration number and a contact phone number – report the claim as soon as you can and leave the insurers to sort everything else out.
* Check anti-freeze levels and carry de-icer in case the locks freeze.
* For cars that are not being used that often ensures you regularly turn the engine over and keep the engine running to keep the battery energized.
* When warming your car up don’t leave it unattended with the keys in the ignition. Many cars are stolen this way by opportunist thieves each year.
* During cold weather it’s especially important to check tire, battery and wiper blade condition. Make sure the lights are fully functioning and double check oil and fuel levels before setting off
* Take your breakdown telephone help-line number and mobile phone with you on all journey.
At Home:

* Leave your central heating running, not on a timer, but at a constant temperature (the coldest time is between 1am and 3am). If possible, leave it running in all rooms.
* If you know you’re going to be away, either leave the heating on, or drain off your water and heating systems. If you have a property that is unoccupied, drain the system.  If you’re unsure how to do this, speak to a plumber. Remember to leave your insurance details with a friend or neighbor.
* Check the lagging on your pipes and water tank – pay a visit to the basement or crawl space if need be. If you have enough constant heating in the house, it will prevent the water tank from freezing. The most likely effect of the sub-zero temperatures in the home will be frozen pipes and water tanks.
* Bring pets indoors and if you have fish, leave something floating in the middle of your pond – ie a ball. When you want to get air to them, lift up the ball.
* Keep a supply of batteries, torches and provisions.
* If your home loses power – keep the freezer door shut.
For Businesses:

To reduce the impact on businesses of days of snow:
* Review your Business Continuity Plan; think about how you’ll best be able to service your customers, suppliers and key stakeholders if your business is disrupted.
* give early warnings of any problems to your customers and suppliers.
* List (in a safe place) the telephone numbers of the people you may need to contact, e.g. insurance company, emergency plumber/electrician.
* Encourage staff to plan alternative routes to work in the event that their usual route is disrupted.
* Speak to your IT department to enable more of your staff to be able to work from home.
* Priority areas should be salted and gritted in advance. Arrangement should be made for access routes to be inspected regularly. Temporary signs denoting safe routes may be necessary.