OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s Fire and Rescue service is urging residents ensure they keep warm during this prolonged period of cold weather and minimise the risk of house fires and road accidents.
The county council’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Etheridge said: “As the current cold snap continues it’s very important for residents to take steps to ensure their safety. We would also urge people to check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours or relatives to make sure those most at risk are safe and well.”
Open fires
Be careful when using open fires to keep warm. Make sure you always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers.
MMake sure embers are under control and properly put out before you go to bed.
Portable heaters
Keep heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying cloths.
AAlways unplug electric heaters when you go out or go to bed.
Try to secure heaters against a wall to stop them falling over.
Only use gas or paraffin heaters in well ventilated areas. Heaters consume oxygen so you could suffocate if a room is not properly aired.
Electric blankets
Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.
Unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all-night use.
Don?t leave electric blankets folded as this damages the internal wiring. Store them flat or rolled up instead.
If the electricity fails
Keep a battery operated light or torch handy in the event of a power cut or failure.
If you have to use candles, tea lights and matches always take special care. Put them out completely before leaving the room or going to bed.
Make sure candles and tea lights are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire ? like curtains.
Keep a mobile phone handy so you can still make an emergency call if there is a power cut.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors
Once a week test the battery of your smoke alarm by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds. If the alarm ever starts to ‘beep’ regularly, replace the battery as soon as possible.
We recommend you purchase a Carbon Monoxide detector these are reasonably priced in local DIY stores and are easy to fit.
On the roads
Only make journeys that are absolutely necessary
Check the local and national weather forecasts
Listen to local and national radio for travel information
Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive
Make sure you are equipped with warm clothes, drink, food, boots and a torch. In snowy conditions, take a spade
your windows and mirrors before you set out and carry a screen scraper and de-icer
Clear the roof of your car of large amounts of snow.
If you get into trouble
Do not use a mobile phone while driving. Stop somewhere safe or ask a passenger to make the call.
On a motorway, it is best to use a roadside emergency telephone, because the breakdown/emergency services will be able to locate you easily. If you have a mobile phone, make sure you give them the number of the closest marker post to you on the hard shoulder.
Abandoned vehicles can hold up rescue vehicles and snow ploughs. To ensure that the road is cleared as quickly as possible, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.
Where possible put your car back on your driveway or off the road, abandoned vehicles on minor roads may prevent access for emergency vehicles.
If you have to leave your vehicle to get help, make sure other drivers can see you.
When roads are icy or slushy
It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions that on a dry road. Drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down and stop.
Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.
Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh braking and acceleration.
To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.
If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator, but do not brake suddenly.