Winter Weather
General Support and Advice
Surface water flooding can occur any where without warning.Significant flooding occurred in many areas of Queensland during late December 2010 and early January 2011, with three quarters of the state declared a disaster zone. North-eastern Australia's worst flooding in decades continues to cause chaos across the region.
What can I do to protect myself and others from flooding?
• Find out if you are in an area at risk of flooding.
• Follow GO IN, STAY IN, TUNE IN messages.
• Make up a flood Emergency Grab Bag.
• Move valuables, food and possessions to a safe place e.g upstairs
or first floor of your
home.
• Create a H.E.L.P.-Household Emergency Life-Saving
Plan.
The Snow Code; The snow code - tips on clearing snow and ice from pavements or public spaces - follow link
Ice Safety Precautions - follow link
As temperatures drop, and bodies of water throughout the area begin to freeze over, Cheshire Local Resilience Forum has issued information regarding safety precautions to be taken on our frozen lakes, rivers, canals and ponds.
It is
important that we remind everyone, particularly children, of the
dangers of unsafe ice, before we experience a tragedy that is
unfortunately too common this time of year. As lakes, ponds,
streams, rivers and canals throughout the Cheshire Area freeze
over, ice conditions may be very uncertain.
People may be a bit impatient to venture out on the ice for skating, and other winter sports. We highly recommend the use of recreational skating areas provided by your local communities. It is very important to exercise precaution and common sense. The strength and thickness of ice should be known before any activity takes place.
By following safety procedures, you can be safe and enjoy the many winter activities offered by the great outdoors.
For some useful advice about drivng safely in wintery conditions;
Winter Driving Advice - Are you prepared for
driving this winter?
Driving a car, or any other vehicle, in snow and ice requires skill and consideration. Many drivers are unprepared for the winter conditions. Regular servicing and checks on your vehicle will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road, particularly in the winter months.
What should I check? It is a good idea to make the following checks regularly:
• Check and replace fluid levels - especially the
anti-freeze. Anti-freeze costs a couple of
pounds to buy - a cracked engine block will cost a few
hundred pounds to repair.
• Check that all lights work and are clean.
• Check the battery, if it is looking like it is at the end of
its life then it may be worth
replacing it.
• Check the condition of all tyres, even the spare if you have
one. The AA recommend
at least 3mm of tread for winter driving.
• Keep windscreen washer levels topped up. Make sure you use
screen wash and not
just water, as water will not clean your screen
effectively.
Winter driving survival kit
Don't forget
to prepare an winter Emergency Grab Bag. It is recommended that
all households are suitably prepared for the different types of
hazard that we could face and in doing so should have an Emergency Grab Bag at
hand at home, in the car and at work.
Visit DirectGov for all the information and support from
national government:.
Help and
advice during winter .
Clearing snow
and ice yourself .
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