Police issue winter safety advice for homes, driving and cycling

Police have issued winter safety advice.

Nottinghamshire Police have released information to the public on ways to keep homes safe during winter and driving and cycling advice.

Keeping homes safe during winter

• Leave a light on inside your home.
• Use a timer switch to simulate an occupied home.
• Make sure your front door is well let by using dusk to dawn lighting that automatically comes on as it gets dark.
• Keep doors and windows locked at all times.
• If you are over 65 or have a health condition or reduced mobility, you should heat your home to at least 18 degree Celsius. It's a good idea to keep your bedroom at this temperature throughout the night.

Winter driving tips

• Check your fuel, oil and water levels, check electrics and make sure your tyres have sufficient tread before setting out.
• Check your lights and breaks are working effectively, including the handbrake and fog lights.
• Check your heaters are working and you have added antifreeze to your radiator and windscreen washers.
• Store emergency kit in your vehicle, which should include an ice-scraper, de-icer, warm clothes and blankets, torch, boots, first aid kit, jump leads, a spade, a road atlas and sunglasses.
• Check the weather forecast and be ready for all weather.
• Leave extra time to clear your windscreen properly before setting off.
• Try and stick to main roads that have been gritted when possible. Details of gritting routes can be found on the Nottinghamshire County Council website.
• In severe weather consider whether your journey is essential. Leave plenty of time and if in doubt don't go out. Leave ample room between you and the vehicle in front to allow for wet, slippery surfaces.

Winter cycling tips

• Invest in some good quality winter clothing.
• Hi-viz clothing is very effective at making you visible at night.
• Add reflective items to body parts that move, i.e. shoes with reflective strips, reflective wrist bands and gloves.
• Wear a rear light on your back pack or your helmet for extra visibility. The additional height of the light will be at eye level for most motorists.
• Check the batteries in your lights are always in full working order and not running low.

For more information on keeping safe during winter visit the Nottinghamshire Police website.