Council urges residents to prepare for winter

Everyone in Westmorland and Furness is being urged to take steps to ensure they are prepared for winter and stay safe.

The council’s “winter ready” campaign launches today and is aimed at supporting residents and businesses during the coming months.

It reflects the council’s winter travel and weather preparations, and up-to-date public health information and guidance, to ensure communities are kept moving, safe and have access to support.

The Winter Ready program seeks to ensure people have the right information, advice and guidance at their fingertips. Key messaging from partner authorities such as Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, the Lake District Safety Group, Environment Agency and others will be shared to help encourage residents to get ready for winter too.

Through the Cumbria Local Resilience Forum, the council also works with partner agencies including emergency services, Environment Agency and NHS to keep Cumbria safe, prepared, and resilient during severe weather.

Together, we plan and prepare for flooding, cold weather and other adverse winter weather to make sure our response is coordinated, effective, and focused on keeping people safe.

The CLRF website has lots of useful advice about preparing for the worst: https://cumbriaprepared.org.uk/homepage
 
The Winter Ready campaign provides advice and assistance on everything you need to know to help you be prepared and to get winter ready, including:
 

• Winter travel – how to stay safe and keep up to date with road and weather information.
• The latest information, guidance and support available to people regarding flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
• Emergency planning – advice on how to find out if you are at risk from flooding and how to be prepared.
• General health advice – staying well this winter.
• Information and advice about ‘warm spots’ and support for Cost of Living.

Councillor Patricia Bell, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, said: “Winter can bring challenges to many people for any number of reasons. It is imperative that we as a council are prepared.

“And just as we prepare, we urge everybody to think about what steps they can take or remind friends, neighbours colleagues or relations,

“Everyone can take some simple steps to prepare - from getting a flu or a Covid booster jab, to signing up for weather alerts. Our website has lots of advice, help and support you may need over the next few months so please take a look and get winter ready.”