British Gas urges households to buy sleeping bags and ‘3 days of food’ | Weather | News
Heavy snow hit parts of the UK this weekend; This includes parts of northern England and Scotland where several centimeters of snow have settled. Blizzard conditions set in across East Yorkshire, including Hull, on Saturday morning and households across the north of England woke up to heavy snowfall.
While the Met Office’s yellow warning for heavy snowfall remains in place, more yellow weather warnings for snow and ice will be issued in parts of the UK in the coming days. The statement said: “Heavy sleet and snow (mainly snow in higher elevations) will affect parts of Wales and south-west England on Saturday evening and overnight into Sunday morning. Where showers occur, icy areas will form on untreated surfaces.
“Whilst most areas will see very little snow accumulation, there is potential for a few centimeters of snow over Eryri, in the higher reaches of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, and perhaps parts of Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor.”
Snow has already arrived in parts of the UK and more could arrive today and on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, a new yellow weather warning was issued for the entire east coast of England, from the Scottish border to Norwich, while on the opposite coast, the north-west of England, Wales and the south-west were also covered by a snow warning.
Energy supplier British Gas has a list of advice for homes, urging people to do 10 things to prepare.
The list includes: Improve insulation, including weatherproofing gaps around windows and doors.
Protect the pipes and place insulation pipes over any exposed pipes for your boiler, heating or water supply.
Store extra wood for a wood burner indoors in case you can’t get to it, and don’t place electric heaters near furniture.
The firm also urged people to check their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, especially if indoor heating is used like a wood burner.
Households were also asked to check where their taps are located in case they have to turn off the water supply due to a burst pipe.
British Gas then told households to be prepared for no heating. He said: “Although a heavy snowfall is unlikely to leave you without heating, it is always worth keeping sleeping bags, blankets and warm coats on hand.”
The seventh tip is about gardens, adding: “Although heavy snowfall is unlikely to leave you without heating, it’s worth keeping sleeping bags, blankets and warm coats on hand.”
The supplier also encouraged people to pack an emergency kit, adding: “It’s a good habit to keep at least three days’ worth of food and essentials in an easily accessible place in your home.
These are things like medications, drinking water, non-perishable food and snacks, extra blankets. You should also keep a flashlight, batteries and phone charger nearby.”
Those with a car should check a few important things, the company said: “Have your brakes, heater, tires and windshield wipers checked to make sure they are in good working order before winter.”
And finally, British Gas urged people to check on their neighbours, adding: “When severe weather hits, you may find yourself stranded away from home. So plan how you will stay in touch with the rest of your household and where to meet if you can’t get home due to heavy snow.”
“Check on elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbors to make sure they have everything they need to get through the cold spell.”
