Colm Fitzpatrick
With the season of winter now firmly in place, it is important to now take the correct safety precautions to combat against inconveniences, illness and injury.
The winter weather boasts enticing imagery from Christmas gatherings to hot chocolate, but alongside these lucrative possibilities lies the threat of coldness and the negative consequences it can have. Protection from the winter elements requires well-informed preparation, taking into account the many areas of life that it can affect.
In response to these concerns the Irish government has recently released a Be Winter-Ready booklet, which provides practical advice on how to best prepare for the coming winter. In conjunction with this booklet is a campaign to make the public aware of where advice and help can be found and to reassure the public that preparations have been put in place to respond to severe weather conditions.
Campaign
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, the Minister with Responsibility of Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, TD, said “The ‘Be Winter-Ready’ campaign is intended to give the public advice on the particular challenges that the winter period can present. This year’s ‘Be Winter-Ready’ campaign is focused on health preparedness for older people including the promotion of influenza vaccination.”
He added that older people are the most vulnerable groups in our society and so more susceptible to the hardship that severe weather can inflict.
“The campaign highlights the whole of government approach being taken to winter preparations, it informs the public on what is being done and where they can source information”, he said.
The booklet categorises the advice under distinct headings such as health, road safety and schools, and then describes how to take the best measures to prevent the winter weather impact. It was launched alongside a dedicated website www.winterready.ie which also offers extensive information about tackling the cold.
Safety
Personal health and the health of others around you should be of primary concern this winter, which if ignored can lead to serious illness or death. The booklet advises that together with drinking water and planning medical appointments, to keep well and warm this winter by maintaining the heating at home.
For older people in particular, it is advised that they should not venture outdoors in severe weather conditions and make fall prevention precautions in the home by, for example, arranging furniture for ease of movement throughout the room or leaving a low energy light on at night-time. The public are asked to make a special effort to keep in contact with their neighbours and relatives, with particular concern for those living alone.
This was echoed by Mr Simon Harris, TD who said: “Irish people have a great sense of community and look out for their family and neighbours and that is particularly important at this time of year.
“I would ask everyone to make sure to call on older or disabled relatives and neighbours to ask how we can best help them if required and offer assistance in severe weather.”
Harris added that a priority for this winter is to increase uptake of influenza in ‘at risk’ groups and in health care workers. With influenza increasing in Ireland it is essential that people take up of the offer of the vaccine which is freely available at any GP.
Alongside medical problems, the booklet stresses that the home can also be affected by the winter weather through flooding, snowing and water leaks. When clearing snow from footpaths, it is advised to do so early in the day, using a shovel, and spreading salt afterwards. Frozen pipes are also a serious risk which can be combated by leaving the heater on for longer periods at lower settings and insulating all exposed pipes. Emergencies are always a possibility so keeping extra supplies like non-perishable food, essential medication and batteries can make all the difference.
Those with disabilities are asked to reduce mobility, keep a list of phone numbers beside the phone including emergency services, and also consider wearing a personal alarm to alert family or neighbours.
The new Senior Alert Scheme enables older people or those of limited means to live securely by the attachment of a free personal monitored alarm which can be worn as a pendant or around the wrist like a watch, which is connected to a national Senior Alert helpline. When alerted, a local volunteer will respond, and in more serious circumstances, the emergency services will be contacted.
A more ubiquitous consequence of the winter weather are the effects it has on travel. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Shane Ross, TD said: “During severe weather, our priority is to keep open the national primary road network, important regional roads including public transport routes, and to minimise any delays or disruptions in our sea ports, our airports and on our railways.
“However, nature is more powerful than mankind and sometimes the safest action to take is to close down our transport services.”
In order to combat accidents on the road, it is advised to make use of public transport when possible, prepare your vehicle by, for example, checking tyres and headlights, and using the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. By keeping emergency equipment in your car like jump leads and first-aid kits along with listening to the local radio station for updates with information on weather and road conditions, you will be better prepared to face the harsh winter conditions.
Above all, Ross advised that gaining knowledge about the impact of weather is the key to preventing travel problems.
“Whatever is ahead of us, I would urge all transport users to be aware of conditions around them and to heed the safety advice being given to them. Winter ready is all about being prepared. For road users, I would ask that they and their vehicles are prepared for winter. The Road Safety Website – www.rsa.ie – has safety tips for all users and I would strongly urge all drivers to check these out in advance of winter.”
Business and farming industries can also be impeded by the unwavering winter conditions, affecting practical operations. Considering how work disruption will be dealt with, creating a communications plan for customers and reviewing stock-piles can help alleviate some of the pressure that the weather will create.
Farmers are advised to herd out wintered livestock during daylight hours and be back before nightfall as well as clearing tracks around the farmyard. The more significant effects are the provision of feed and water for livestock and the freezing of equipment like milking machines and diesel in tractors. An awareness of these impacts can act as springboard to tackle these issues.
Although everyone will be affected by the harsh winter weather conditions this year, there will be an acute effect on homeless people, who have no protection from the ensuing coldness. Figures recently released by the Peter McVerry Trust revealed that there are over 8,000 people in Ireland currently experiencing homelessness, and it is they who will be most vulnerable this winter.
Speaking about this epidemic, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government, Mr Damien English, TD said: “It is also important that we are ‘Winter-Ready’ with regard to homeless rough sleepers. Preparations are currently underway across all the major urban local authorities to ensure that additional safe and secure accommodation is available for rough sleepers during any periods of cold winter weather.
“Approximately 200 new emergency accommodation spaces will be in place before Christmas. These are additional bed spaces available for single homeless persons which will remain in the system for as long as they are required.”
All of the Ministers stressed that the key message that they wish to convey is “to be prepared, stay safe and know where to find help if you need it.”
For more information about winter safety, see https://www.winterready.ie/en