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  |
