NHS bodies are warning people not to leave their homes this weekend as amber weather warnings are announced in parts of the country, with some told to stock up on essentials
The NHS has warned people not to leave their homes during certain times of the day as a way to avoid snowy conditions.
Heavy snowfall is expected across this weekend with the National Health Service urging people to remain indoors as a way of avoiding the dangers of these yellow and amber weather warnings. The Met Office has confirmed snowy conditions may offer a threat to life over the weekend in parts of the country.
The NHS has since suggested people “avoid going out early in the morning” as well as at night because of the weather warnings, which are set to start on January 4 at 9pm. Earlier, yellow weather warnings are set to be in effect from 12pm today.
The NHS Black Country has warned the public to be careful of slips and trips over this weekend and has since advised avoiding the outdoors at certain times of day. They said: “Avoid going out early in the morning when frost is thick or late at night when it’s dark.” Herefordshire’s Wyre Valley NHS Trust had similar advice for people and said residents must make sure their homes are protected from colder weather conditions.
Their advice was to “make sure you have sufficient food and medicine and take measures to reduce draughts in your home.” Warwickshire was issued similar advice from the George Eliot hospital in Nuneaton. Caroline Abrahams, the charity’s director, said it had already been contacted by older people “worrying about what to do when this moment arrived”. She has also called on the government to make a clear financial plan available.
Speaking to BirminghamLive, she said: “The factor which is more likely than any other to encourage older people to run their heating through this cold snap is a clear indication from the Government that more financial help is definitely on the way, via a change to their decision to ration the winter fuel payment or through some other mechanism, such as the introduction of a social tariff.
“This would be a wonderful start to the new year for millions of pensioners who are fearful about getting through this winter with their health and their finances intact.” The snow alerts take hold on Saturday and last for five days.”
Weather warnings announced by the Met Office earlier this week are expected to impact the whole country, with snow and ice set to appear in most parts of the UK. Areas including Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham are set to be affected by the amber warnings of snow and ice while most of Scotland could see icier conditions from today.
The Met Office said: “Temperatures will again fall widely below freezing during Friday evening. This will allow ice to readily form on untreated surfaces, particularly where roads and pavements remain wet from wintry showers. Scattered showers will fall as a mixture of rain, sleet and snow. Most areas are unlikely to see any fresh accumulations of snow though a slight covering is possible in places, especially over parts of northern Scotland.”
