Be Winter Ready
Check your car: Make sure your car is topped up with fuel, oil, screen wash, and coolant, and you have checked your electrics and rubber. It is also important that you have an emergency kit of supplies in your car.
Be safe on the roads: Motorists should drive with increased caution as we enter winter, and ensure they are prepared for road conditions before starting their journey. Vehicles can often behave in unpredictable ways on slippery road surfaces and stopping distances can be increased by up to 10 times when the road surface is icy or wet, so catious driving is important. Hidden hazards, such as black ice, are of particular concern on rural roads. Remember to take simple precautions, like ensuring you take rest breaks on long journeys can significantly reduce your risk of becoming involved in a road traffic accident over winter.
Think about your elderly neighbours: In winter more than ever - it is important to check up on your elderly neighbours. This can include offering to collect supplies from your local shop, spreading grit or clearing their driveway when it snows.
Stay Healthy: Plan ahead, make sure you order any repeat prescriptions one working week before Christmas (19th December), keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home, and get your Covid-19 and flu jabs to keep you protected.
Be prepared for severe weather: Severe weather can strike at any time, and the disruption caused to communities can often be significant. Ready Scotland has advice on how you can prepare for severe weather, and is available here. Sign up for flood alerts and severe weather warnings here. Be prepared for power outages; know where to locate your fuse box, gas box, or mains water supply.
Cost of Living: People across the North-East of Scotland are being affected by the worst economic crisis in history. The effects of this means that families must make hard choices. You can find out what help the Scottish Government is offering here.
Look after your mental well-being: With temperatures dropping and shortening days, we might find ourselves feeling a bit more blue. It is important to make the most out of the daylight, move our bodies, and keep in contact with our loved ones.
Domestic abuse at Christmas: Regrettably, over the Christmas period, the rate of domestic abuse rises. If you're being harmed by your partner, there are many organisations that can help you. Find out more information here. If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999, if you cannot speak, dial 55 when prompted or let them know you're there by tapping the phone or making a noise.
USEFUL CONTACTS
- Fire, Police, Ambulance, Coastgaurd - call 999
- Police Scotland (non-emergency) - call 101
- NHS 24 Scotland - call 111
- Samaritans (24 hours) - call 114 123
- To report a power cut or electric emergency - call 105
- For gas emergency services - call 0800 111 999
- Floodline Scotland - 0345 988 1188
- Scottish Water - 0800 077 8778
- Emergency Council Housing Repairs - 03456 09 12 03
- Emergency Social Care - 03456 08 12 0
- Scottish Women's Aid - 0800 027 1234