Severe weather advice

To stay safe at home:

• Get your heating system checked by a qualified professional.
• Heat your home to at least 18C, including throughout the night.
• Insulate pipes to prevent them freezing.
• Draw your curtains at dusk: keep doors closed to block out draughts.
• Stay as active as possible.
• Wear several layers of clothes.
• Have hot meals and drinks throughout the day.
• Use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed - don't use both at the same time. 
• Be prepared for power failure(s) - keep mobile phones charged.
• Keep a list of emergency contact numbers
• Make sure you have enough medication.
• stock-up on non-perishable foods.

Remember to check on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours.

To stay safe outside:

• Keep up to date with weather reports and travel advisories from The MET Office.
• Tell someone when and where you are going and how likely you will be away from home for.
• Wear several layers of clothes - wear a hat and scarf and shoes with good grip when outside.
• Make sure you are visible to other road users.
• If using public transport check with service providers before leaving your house.

To stay safe when driving:

• Get your car serviced regularly.
• Plan your route and check for any disruptions.
• Tell someone your destination and estimated time of arrival - make sure you allow extra time for potential transport disruptions.
• Make sure you have a car emergency kit.
• Make sure your tyre pressure is correct and tyre treads are within safe limits.
• Check your car battery and top up the engine coolant with antifreeze.
• Check brake discs, fluid and pads.
• Check fan belt and alternator drive belts are tight.
• Clean your lights.
• Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged.
• Avoid travelling in low visibility.
• Always carry additional warm clothing in case your car breaks down.

We work hard to ensure its services continue to run during the winter period. However, some services will be affected by the severe weather.

We have 3,500 tonnes of grit and a fleet of eight gritters, to bolster a network of hundreds of grit bins across the borough if the weather takes a turn for the worst. 

Our Weather Watch pages provide a complete picture of how council services will be affected during the snow and ice.

• Weather watch

Remember, you can also keep up to date via social media:

• Twitter: @dudleymbc
• Facebook: Dudley borough

You can also sign up to regular bulletins for information on the council's news, service, events and other information

• Dudley Council email bulletins sign up form

Dehydration:

Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, sleepiness, lack of energy, confusion, irritability and / or fainting.

Heat exhaustion:

Headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of appetite, nausea, excessive sweating, pale and clammy skin, cramps in the arms, legs and stomach, fast breathing (and / or pulse), temperature of 38C or above and great thirst.

Heatstroke: 

Not sweating even though hot, temperature of 40C or more, rapid breathing or shortness of breath, confusion, seizure, unresponsiveness, loss of consciousness (in this instance put the person in the recovery position).

If the person is still feeling unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place and drinking plenty of water call 999.

To stay safe:

• keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
• Avoid strenuous activities as much as possible. 
• Wear light-coloured, loose clothing and apply sun cream and wear a hat if outdoors.
• Drink plenty of cold drinks and avoid excessive amounts of alcohol.
• Take cool baths or showers.
• Check on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours.

Look after your pets:

• Make sure they have access to water at all times.
• Don't shut pets in a conservatory.
• Don't take dogs a walk in the middle of the day.
• Never leave animals in a car 

If you see an animal in distress, call 999 or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.