Get ready for winter
Are you winter ready?
Winter often brings a lot of different challenges, so it’s helpful to make sure we are all prepared. We’re ready to support you, but are also asking everyone to do their bit too.
Need extra support and help?
What you can do to help • Keep an eye on the welfare of your elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbours, remembering to socially distance. • Clear snow and ice from the front of your homes and businesses. See our guide to clearing snow and ice below.
UK Power Networks offer free support to those who need help during a power cut. To add your details to their priority services register visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk or phone 0800 029 4285.
Gritting Patches of ice or frost on the roads and pavements can make travel more difficult for cars and pedestrians. Essex County Council is responsible for gritting the main roads and footpaths in Harlow. Check which roads are gritted at www.essex.gov.uk/gritters Harlow Council plays its part to make sure residents can get around safely by gritting areas such as the town centre, outside doctor’s surgeries and supported housing complexes.
Affinity Water also has a priority services register which is free to join for customers who require urgent assistance during an incident. For information visit www.affinitywater.co.uk or phone 0345 357 2406. The Met Office website, www.metoffice.gov.uk has lots of information to help you prepare for adverse weather conditions, storms or flooding. The Met Office and Public Health England also run a Cold Weather Alert service which residents can sign up to via the Met Office website.
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• Keep warm. Pensioners and low-income families may qualify for extra help and cold weather payments which are paid automatically. If you are worried about someone: • Knock on their door and ask them if they are alright, taking a step back to ensure at least a 2-metre distance when talking to them. • If you’re still worried, please contact Social Services on 0345 603 7630. • If there is an imminent danger, dial 999 and speak to the emergency services.
A guide to clearing snow and ice There’s no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home, business or from public spaces. It’s unlikely you will be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries if you have cleared it carefully.
Do not use hot water. This will melt the snow, but will replace it with black ice, increasing the risk of injury.
Removing the top layer of snow from your path will allow the sun to melt any ice beneath.
Scatter ordinary table salt on the path or area you have cleared to prevent any ice forming and to stop it from refreezing overnight. Avoid spreading it on plants or grass.
harlow times · winter 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
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