AS BRITAIN prepares for a -3C Arctic chill to sweep across the country, there are nine items that have been deemed essential to pop in your car boot.
The Met Office have announced which bits of equipment you’ll want handy when you’re making frosty trips across the country.
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A spokesperson for The Met Office said: “Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe.
“Plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary and, if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off.
“Make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delay.”
The essentials in question start with warm clothing, food, and water.
These are the most crucial items for if you get stuck in the cold somewhere for an extended period of time.
Next on the list are blankets, a torch, and an ice-scraper, which are necessary for when your car becomes completely frozen.
If you can’t spot an ice-scraper you can always get creative and use an old CD case or even a credit card if you’re in a pinch.
The final three things you’ll need in your car boot is a warning triangle, a high visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger.
In order to make sure you and your passengers are as safe as possible it’s important to make it known to others that you’ve broken down in the cold weather.
By cordoning off the car with a warning triangle, and wearing a high-vis jacket when outside the vehicle, you’re in the best position to avoid risking accidents with other cars.
An in-car phone charger or portable charger will be the lifeline in your pocket if you get stuck.
Whether it’s a call to the garage, breakdown assistance, or a friend – it’s essential to flag to someone that you’re in trouble.
A lot of the country might be affected by “disruptive snow” during the cold snap with the midlands and the north being the most affected.
Drivers have been told to be cautious of “dangerous” conditions and to prepare for delays with a 15-hour yellow weather warning issued in some areas.
Aberdeenshire and The Yorkshire Dales have already been hit by snow and frost, with more to come.
Temperatures are expected to drop on Monday with some areas, like Nottingham, reaching freezing by 8pm.
The East Midlands have been issued a cold health alert by the UK Health Security Agency which could affected elderly and vulnerable people.
A string of yellow weather warnings have already been announced earlier today with the health alert covering most of England until Thursday.
Rescue services like RAC see a lot more breakdowns when the weather turns cold, so make sure to check you motor before you head out.
A bit of pre-preparation could save you a lot of cash this winter if you’re trying to avoid costly breakdowns.
Advice from RAC
We suggest you remember and use the acronym FORCES for the regular ‘DIY checks’ you should carry out through the winter and especially as we head into another icy blast.
- F – Fuel
- O – Oil
- R – Rubber
- C – Coolant
- E – Electrics
- S – Screen Wash
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