UNEXPECTED BUT WELCOME PREPARATIONS FOR SNOW, ICE & BAD WEATHER IN BRIGG

Brigg Blog has no idea how many senior figures at North Lincolnshire Council spent time in the Scouts.
But 'Be Prepared' - the Scouts' motto - has been followed in our town over the past few days.
We were pleasantly surprised to see yesterday (Saturday) that amid weather forecasts of snow and ice on the way, the council not only gritted major routes like the A18 but also some suburban roads, including a number on the St Helen's housing estate.
The above picture was taken on Saturday afternoon and shows that salting had taken place along Yarborough Road.
Gritting was also evident on nearby Churchill Avenue and York Road.
The roads on this estate were badly hit during severe weather seven years ago and were allowed to remain rutted with packed snow for a number of days without any action being taken by the authorities.
That was a grim time to be a motorist!
The council  said on Friday that the   Met Office had  issued a ‘Yellow Warning’ for snow in the Yorkshire and Humber region on Sunday, December 10, from 4am to 11.55pm.
"A spell of heavy snow is possible over some parts of the region during Sunday," the council suggested, in view of the forecast.
As we write this at 3.30pm on Sunday (December 10) there has been the odd flurry of snow over the last few hours but insufficient to settle. However, the temperature has dropped to freezing point 32F - or 0C for younger readers!

The council has issued the following advice to to the general public

North Lincolnshire Council is urging residents to keep warm and well this winter, and look after their health – especially those most at risk, as the cold weather and freezing temperatures set in.
Cold winter weather can be harmful to health, not just by increasing the risk of getting colds, coughs and flu but by weakening the body’s ability to fight off viruses and infections, and increasing risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and chest infections.
Older people aged 65 and over, and those with a long-term health condition including heart disease, COPD and diabetes are particularly vulnerable to winter illnesses.
If you are aware of a neighbour, friend, or relative who is over 65 or has a long-term condition, and may find it difficult to get out, check that they are warm, well and their medicine cabinet and food supplies are stocked up. Having some company may also reduce social isolation.
You can find advice on winter health and keeping warm at www.northlincs.gov.uk/winterhealth
 To find out more about support and activities for older adults, visit www.northlincs.gov.uk/ais
It is important that older people and those with a long term health condition keep both warm in and outside the house. 
This can be done by:

• Wearing several layers of light clothes
• Making sure the house is heated to at least 18 degrees Celsius
• Encouraging mobility to prevent sitting for long periods
• Closing bedroom windows at night
• Keeping the mouth and nose covered when outside the home as cold air can increase the risk of chest infections

Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet could provide protection from becoming unwell or getting worse if already unwell. It is important to get early advice from a pharmacist. This could prevent symptoms getting much worse or a hospital admission.
Coughs, colds and minor ailments can be treated at home and it isn’t necessary to visit the GP as antibiotics are not needed. Over the Christmas period it might be more difficult to get the medicines you need if pharmacies aren’t open, so make sure your medicine cabinets are stocked up.
Pharmacists provide good health advice and will also be able to give advice on flu jabs and if you are entitled to a free jab and also advise if a visit to your GP is needed. Free flu jabs are available to people aged over 65, carers, people with a long-term health condition and younger adults who are pregnant or have children aged two to three. You can find more information on the flu jab by visiting www.nhs.uk/getflujab
The NHS Stay Well This Winter campaign gives advice on being prepared for winter www.nhs.uk/staywell
There is also the NHS 111 service. This is a free number to call when you have an urgent healthcare need. It directs you to the right local service, first time. It is available across the whole of England making it easier for you to access urgent healthcare services when you need medical help. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Cllr Julie Reed, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “As the temperatures drop during the winter months and with even colder weather predicted, it is vital that we are all prepared to keep warm and stay well. This is especially important for those most at risk of becoming ill.
“Older people aged 65 and over, and those with a long-term health condition are more vulnerable to winter illnesses. Be prepared, ensure you have medicines in your cabinet. 
"Also remember if you are a carer of a vulnerable friend or family member it’s important for you to have your flu jab and look after yourself so that you can continue supporting others.
“It isn’t always just ourselves we need to think about though, we should check on our elderly family, friends and neighbours. Make sure they have plenty of food, their heating is working and on, and they wear plenty of layers to keep warm. They might also be happy to see a friendly face.
“You can find lots of great advice at www.northlincs.gov.uk/winterhealth or www.nhs.co.uk/staywell ”.