Public urged to be ‘Winter Ready’ this year

The Cork and Kerry Inter-Agency Emergency Management Region South including An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Cork County Council, Cork City Council and South/Southwest Hospital Group are calling on the public to ‘Be Winter Ready’ this year. Frontline staff from the agencies are working together to help build awareness of the challenges that winter can present, whilst offering essential advice on how best to protect us, our families, and those most vulnerable this winter season. Included at last week’s launch are Cllr Frank O'Flynn, Mayor of the County of Cork and Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy. (Pic: Brian Lougheed)

The Cork and Kerry Inter-Agency Major Emergency Management Region South is asking everyone to be ‘winter ready’ this year and have launched a co-ordinated campaign involving statutory agencies aiming to raise public awareness about the challenges that winter can present, encouraging members of the public to make preparations in advance of the usual seasonal issues.

Last week’s launch of the ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign, saw an Garda Síochána continue to highlight the importance of road safety during winter weather conditions. Motorists are urged to ensure their tyres are road worthy and to make sure all indicators and headlamps are clean and working. Further information can be found at www.rsa.ie

Cork City Council and Cork County Council provide information on the salting routes which are treated in the event of severe weather. These routes can be found by visiting Cork County Council at www.corkcoco.ie and Cork City Council at www.corkcity.ie. Both Council’s also provide updates on conditions during Met Éireann weather alerts.

Cork City and Cork County Fire Services are asking householders to check that their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working, and if they’re not already installed, to get them installed.

The HSE’s Cork Kerry Community Healthcare is encouraging the public to look after their health this winter. Protect yourself, your family and the health service by taking your vaccinations. Visit www.hse.ie for details on how to get your vaccine.

The South/South West Hospital Group is asking members of the public to consider using Injury Units (including the Mercy University Hospital Injury Unit at the St. Mary’s Health Campus, Gurranabraher; the Mallow Injury Unit and the Bantry Injury Unit) when appropriate, instead of presenting to the Emergency Department.

Lots more information on getting winter ready is available at www.winterready.ie