Severe Winter Weather: ESSENTIAL PREPARATIONS, TRAVEL ADVICE, DRIVING TIPS & CLOSURES

my3cents · 24-02-2018 03:46PM

minibear wrote: »

...
Power: I will keep all power banks, laptops and tablets charged fully while I can. Also will ensure the car and van have fuel in case we need to charge phones/ electronic cigarette batteries.

...

One thing I always make sure is charged up before any interesting weather event is battery operated power tools.

If you are used to only putting in screws with a battery operated drill then if you do have to make some quick repair when the powers out you could be scuppered if you find all your tool batteries are flat.

CirrusBusiness · 24-02-2018 03:52PM

I've always found when harsh conditions arise.. sticking together as a community/keeping in touch with neighbours can help make these situations pass a little easier. A bit like on here the way the gurus are giving us all a heads up.

Your neighbour might have stocked up on something you forgot to get and have enough to share round.. and vice versa. Always nice to let folk know you are there if they need anything.

Have numbers handy.
Tow rope.
Shovel in boot.
Spare drinking water.
Alternative heating to mains ofch and cooking method be it a gas stove etc.
Fill bath for toilet flushes.
Insulate any exposed piping.
Care for elderly and mind young kids in the extreme cold.
Gentle, controlled driving with adequate stopping distances. Snow socks for extra grip on snowy/icey roads.

Put the christmas tree up again?!

RandomAccess · 24-02-2018 04:07PM

CirrusBusiness wrote: »

...
Put the christmas tree up again?!

Was in Tesco earlier and they had a few massive Turkeys in the freezer.. hmm

Discodog · 24-02-2018 04:13PM

Dogs are especially vulnerable as many are kept outside. People don't realise that the dog can go outside, get wet & then come into a cold kennel with wet bedding. No pet should be outdoors in these conditions.

greasepalm · 24-02-2018 04:19PM

i wonder how many still neglect car when times are getting worse,antifreeze good and strong,washer additive protection down to -30,clean windows to see out of for better vision,mirrors clean to see whats around. working wiper blades that work in cleaning screen.
if driving on worn or bald tyres dont drive car.
on the roads keep your distance and do you know how and when to use lights as many dont?

Calibos · 24-02-2018 04:34PM

A front wheel drive car with Winter Tires will pull off and brake a heck of a lot easier than a 4WD on Summer Tires.

delboythedub · 24-02-2018 04:45PM

Snow Chains are illegal on irish roads reason being that anything that is capable of marking the road surface and damage it is illegal. As per my insurance but you need to contact your own insurance as regards SnowSocks use 're insurance cover(modification ).

Victor Meldrew · 24-02-2018 04:47PM

Calibos wrote: »

A front wheel drive car with Winter Tires will pull off and brake a heck of a lot easier than a 4WD on Summer Tires.

Tyres are everything. Then it is about ground clearance over thick snow. But if ground clearance over thick snow is an issue, the journey better be really necessary as no one can come to your aid.

Snow socks are not easier to put on than chains. Socks are a nail breaking pig. Accept they are better than chains in patchy coverage.

Also, this is another reason not to have massive (19 or 20 inch) tyres. Rarely do they have the clearance in the wheel arch to fit the socks and chains will be a no-no.

Oh, and bring a knife in the car to cut the socks off if they wear off or get tangled...

Charles Babbage · 24-02-2018 05:03PM

cherryghost wrote: »

If you are away for the week or know someone away for the week, do NOT turn off your heating. Keep it running a few times a day for at least a short period in order to prevent freezing pipes.

I have another property, I have the heat come on for two periods in the day, albeit at a lower setting, and I leave the attic hatch open.
This worked in 2010 anyway.
A power cut would kibosh me though.

Another tip is an old mat or piece of carpet in the car to put under a tyre to get you moving on ice.

ZX7R · 24-02-2018 05:09PM

Shopping done all ready for the action. Was talking to a woman I know she is a sectory in a school in kildare said the department of education has been in contact with them since Thursday gone, in relation to possibly school closures next week

shar01 · 24-02-2018 05:10PM

A spray of furniture polish on the rubber seal around car doors can prevent freezing / sticking.

Dotsie~tmp · 24-02-2018 05:17PM

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Where would one get some road salt .

Chadwicks Coolock have stock. Sorted :-)

Larbre34 · 24-02-2018 05:22PM

ZX7R wrote: »

Shopping done all ready for the action. Was talking to a woman I know she is a sectory in a school in kildare said the department of education has been in contact with them since Thursday gone, in relation to possibly school closures next week

Good to hear pro-activity behind the scenes.

shar01 · 24-02-2018 05:28PM

Another thing I remember from 2010 - after each car journey check under wheel wells for accumulation of snow and clear it out before it freezes solid and jams against wheel.

Nettle Soup · 24-02-2018 05:34PM

minibear wrote: »

and have coal, kindling and hardwood for the stove. If the electricity goes then we can't run the stove

Why cant you run a solid fuel stove without electricity?

Tabnabs · 24-02-2018 05:36PM

Snow socks are fantastic, had me safe and assured during the 2010 snows. Keep to the snow and not the ruts that develop on the road, keep it below 50km and take them off after use and throw them in the bathtub to defrost. Have a pair waterproof leggings in the car as you have to get down on your knees to put them on.

If you're driving and at risk of getting stuck in a epic queue, bring an empty water bottle for any comfort break you are forced to take...

Ray Donovan · 24-02-2018 05:47PM

ZX7R wrote: »

Shopping done all ready for the action. Was talking to a woman I know she is a sectory in a school in kildare said the department of education has been in contact with them since Thursday gone, in relation to possibly school closures next week

With all due respect that secretary is more than likely talking out of her arse. The Department makes contact with an individual school about a possible closure??? No chance.

currants · 24-02-2018 05:49PM

Nettle Soup wrote: »

Why cant you run a solid fuel stove without electricity?

It must be a boiler stove that needs a pump running. Some stoves have fans built into the chimney breast in newer builds too, might be an issue for those as well. If your stove isn't connected to a water pump its not an issue. If your carbon monoxide alarms run off main buy a battery one in case of power loss. you can always take the battery out and store for the next power cut.

Keeping a constant supply of wood in the room is a good idea, cold logs don't ignite as quickly as room temp ones and any bits of superficial damp on the outside will dry up in the room too.

Don't forget to feed the birds and leave unfrozen water where they can drink too

24-02-2018 05:50PM

Any advice for someone in a flat with all electric heating and no fireplace? Don't know how we'll keep the place warm if the power goes...!

ZX7R · 24-02-2018 05:51PM

Ray Donovan wrote: »

With all due respect that secretary is more than likely talking out of her arse. The Department makes contact with an individual school about a possible closure??? No chance.

Cross the bord e- mail and text system, I never stated that it was just her school

Nettle Soup · 24-02-2018 05:53PM

currants wrote: »

It must be a boiler stove that needs a pump running. Some stoves have fans built into the chimney breast in newer builds too, might be an issue for those as well. If your stove isn't connected to a water pump its not an issue. If your carbon monoxide alarms run off main buy a battery one in case of power loss. you can always take the battery out and store for the next power cut.

Keeping a constant supply of wood in the room is a good idea, cold logs don't ignite as quickly as room temp ones and any bits of superficial damp on the outside will dry up in the room too.

Don't forget to feed the birds and leave unfrozen water where they can drink too

Gotcha. I use my stove when the electricity is gone so I guess there must be no water pump required. Relatively new build. It also heats the rads and cylinder.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 24-02-2018 06:11PM

A couple of things I do continuously "just in case". I am not living in Ireland at the moment so not everything might be required. I know that some might laugh or take a dig at you for being prepared, but I would rather be safe than sorry. The last time there was a bad cold spell in Ireland, people abandoned cars, buses didn't run (not sure about trains) and people were stuck all over the place. The M50 was a graveyard of cars left all over the place. Those people may have had to walk some distance in those conditions.

At home:
1. Lots of drinking water.
2. Lots of spare food that will last (tins, rice etc)
3. Buckets of candles and some spare batteries.
4. Heating wise, we have oil and that's it, if something happens that we are a little snookered. Lots of extra clothes I suppose.

In the car:
1. Thick blanket in the car. (I slept overnight in a car once, it was awfully cold).
2. Snow chains are in the car permanently during from October to April.
3. Winter tires if you can afford them. There's a huge difference between these and all weather tires. Not just for snow, but fantastic in wet conditions.
4. Spare de-icer liquid, windscreen liquid and various snow/ice removing tools.
5. High viz jacket and torch just in case you have to walk.

Grandeeod · 24-02-2018 06:33PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Any advice for someone in a flat with all electric heating and no fireplace? Don't know how we'll keep the place warm if the power goes...!

If you are in an urban location, the chances of a power cut diminish. I've survived 1982 and 2010 and all snowfests in between without any power cuts. But if it does happen, it's either stay with friends/relatives or just wrap the duvet around you.:D It won't be "The Day After Tomorrow" stuff.

24-02-2018 06:41PM

Grandeeod wrote: »

If you are in an urban location, the chances of a power cut diminish. I've survived 1982 and 2010 and all snowfests in between without any power cuts. But if it does happen, it's either stay with friends/relatives or just wrap the duvet around you.:D It won't be "The Day After Tomorrow" stuff.

OK good to hear, I'm in the city centre but all my experience of snow was when I lived in the suburbs and regularly got cut off from civilisation :P

BorneTobyWilde · 24-02-2018 06:43PM

Dotsie~tmp wrote: »

Chadwicks Coolock have stock. Sorted :-)

Will Councils give road salt for free to anyone who wants it? If one wanted a 14 ton dumper load. Can't see them keeping back roads clear on higher ground. Every man for himself I would think.

Pa ElGrande · 24-02-2018 06:45PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Any advice for someone in a flat with all electric heating and no fireplace? Don't know how we'll keep the place warm if the power goes...!

Warm clothes and duvets. If you are in a poorly insulated apartment and it's -8 outside then consider a wearing thick bathrobe or dressing gown andthich wool socks to bed. You can get long johns or thermal underwear in army surplus/camping shops. Note: Your body temperature drops when you sleep.
Thick curtains to reduce the rate of heat loss through the window.
Draft excluder around the doors.
A thermos flask is useful if a neighbour or work still has power you can bring hot water or soup home and at lest get something warm in you.
Keep your mobile charged for emergency lighting if you need to find your way around if the power goes out and you are on the stairwell or street outside when this happens. Use the power saving features to reduce the drain on the battery.
If you are sick with Flu, heavy cold, or more series infection consider abandoning the apartment temporarily and staying with family, relation or friend who does have power.
If you are a student or have free time then get on the bus or go to the library during the day.
If you do find yourself in that situation then focus on something other than the coldness around you. It can keep you away from thinking about how cold it is, and, eventually, your body will get used to the temperature around you.
Alcohol does NOT help in these situations and is the primary exacerbating factor in peoples deaths due to cold.

.

Charles Babbage · 24-02-2018 06:49PM

Cody Dazzling Savant wrote: »

3. Winter tires if you can afford them. There's a huge difference between these and all weather tires. Not just for snow, but fantastic in wet conditions.

WInter tyres will be definitely somewhat better than all season tyres, but will be a lot better in snow than the typical tyres fitted on Irish cars.

uck51js9zml2yt · 24-02-2018 07:40PM

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

The meat deals in Aldi this weekend are great, large chicken for €4, hams, steak and lovely diced lean steak which is cheaper than their stewing beef. Fill the freezer for small money.

What if the electricity goes ?

DOCARCH · 24-02-2018 07:43PM

Legacy Clever Gardener wrote: »

What if the electricity goes ?

Stick the stuff in the snow!

my3cents · 24-02-2018 07:49PM

DOCARCH wrote: »

Stick the stuff in the snow!

But you really need to put it into something very secure first otherwise even in a town a fox will probably get at it.

Severe Winter Weather: ESSENTIAL PREPARATIONS, TRAVEL ADVICE, DRIVING TIPS & CLOSURES

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