|
Make sure you know what to do
Before snow or ice
- If 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
Travel
advice produced in association with the Highways Agency 
|
