Winter can be beautiful - with the fresh, frosty mornings and the cosy evenings - but it also has its own its problems: snow and ice in particular.

 

And, unfortunately, this is something Met Éireann has forecast for the next few days; wintry spells will hit the Atlantic coast and Ulster on Wednesday, with gales also expected.

 

Temperatures are set to drop to -1°C, with the highest temperature rising to +2°C.

 

Thursday and Friday will, according to the weather lady, be “very cold” with risks of sleety rain expected in the south. 


The meteorological service has warned there is a risk a chill sweeping in from Siberia next week, but will mainly vary between wet and dry days.  

 

 

So be prepared with these simple tips:

 

1. Dress warmly

Babies and young children should be dressed warmly when they are outdoors. A few thin layers work better than one big coat, along with hats and gloves. Remember, as a rule of thumb, always put on one more layer of clothing than you are wearing to keep them warm.  

 

 

2. Keep warm

Drinking plenty of warm drinks will keep you warm from the inside out. Warm milk or a hot chocolate is a good to have to hand for the kids. Hand warmers are great if you are out and about, and a good hot water bottle for Mum and a microwaveable heat pack is handy for keep your kids' beds warm. 

 

3. Invest in some grips

Grips are a winter ESSENTIAL. Opt for either boots with good grips already on or buy clip-on ones and keep them to hand

 

 

4. Driving

If you drive the kids to school or use the car to get to work, here are a few essentials to get you through the icy spell:

  • For extreme conditions, choose socks and chains for the tyres
  • De-icer for the windshield
  • A scraper

The Road Safety Authority also recommends:

  1. Listening to regular weather reports
  2. Checking your tyres
  3. Using your lights even during the day
  4. Getting to know your brakes by referring to the car manual for guidance
  5. Stop at a safe distance
  6. Make sure you can see clearly, de-fog or de-ice the car BEFORE setting off
  7. Be mindful of “Black Ice” particularly near sheltered/ shaded areas on roads, under trees and near high walls.
  8. Be prepared and stock you car with the following items:
    • High visibility vest
    • Spare fuel
    • Appropriate footwear in case you need to leave your vehicle e.g. boots
    • A hazard warning triangle
    • Spare wheel in good condition and fully inflated
    • Tow Rope
    • A shovel De-icing equipment (for glass and door locks)
    • Spare bulbs
    • First aid kit
    • Fire extinguisher
    • Working torch
    • Car blanket, additional clothing & some food and water

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