Temperatures are set to plummet this weekend and next week, with Met Éireann warning of the possibility of significant snowfall as an Arctic air mass takes hold.
During this cold snap, people are being reminded to stay warm to protect their health.
Thankfully, there are lots of quick and easy ways of keeping your home warm that will not break the bank.
Wrap up
When temperatures drop below freezing, it can be tempting to just grab the warmest piece of clothing you own.
However, dressing in a few light layers will keep you warmer than one layer, according to the HSE.
Warm air gets trapped between the layers – acting as insulation.
Wearing thermal underwear is another good of way of keeping warm throughout the day.
Get active
You do not have to venture into the great outdoors but getting your body moving is a good way to stay warm.
Keep active indoors by walking around or try out some indoor exercises.
3 key messages. 1 Please note the weather is deteriorating. It is likely we will see slips trips falls. If you are injured please check local injury unit options – see our website @HSELive. 2 In cold weather elderly and those who may at times experience vulnerability can be at… pic.twitter.com/2hIWtANuI2
— Bernard Gloster (@BernardGloster) January 2, 2025
Hot drinks and warm meals
Sipping on hot drinks and eating at least one hot meal a day can help you keep warm.
It also might be a good idea to pop the kettle on to have a cup of tea just before bed.
Keep your curtains closed
The HSE has has advised people to keep the room they spend the most time in to about 18 to 21C and the rest of their house to at least 16C.
Improving your home’s insulation is one of the most effective ways of keeping your home toasty.
Keeping your curtains closed during this cold spell can also make a remarkable difference when it comes to limiting heat loss – particularly if the sun is at the other side of your house, meaning you don’t have any warm light streaming in.
Heavy curtains can also help to insulate your windows.
Draught-proof doors and windows
Eliminating draughts from windows and doors is a good way of keeping your home from getting chilly.
You can purchase a draft excluder to block off floor-level openings and use self-adhesive strips to seal up any gaps around frames of windows that open.
Letterboxes and keyholes are also classic sources of draughts. Plug them respectively with letterbox brushes and keyhole covers.
Chimneys that are not being used can also provide easy access for chilly breezes. Thankfully, chimney draft excluders can be found in most shops.
Check the weather forecast
Check the weather forecast to make sure you are prepared for very cold weather in the days ahead.
It will help you to plan accordingly.
Look after each other
Charities have asked people to check in on their older neighbours particularly those who live by themselves and on those who are sleeping rough.
ALONE’s CEO Sean Moynihan said: “We’re asking people to look out for the older and more vulnerable members of the community.
“Please stay in touch with older friends, family and neighbours. It’s vital that homes are kept warm and comfortable, particularly for those with underlying health difficulties, which can be exacerbated by the cold weather.”
ALONE has also appealed to any older people across Ireland to seek support if they need it.
Homeless charity Tiglin has said people who are sleeping rough face “dire conditions” due to freezing temperatures.
The charity urged members of the public to report anyone they are concerned about to their local authority.
Dublin residents can use the ‘Dublin Rough Sleeper App’ to notify the relevant authorities of the location of a person of concern.
Prevent pipes from freezing over
Homeowners could face bills running into tens of thousands of euro if a pipe bursts during a cold snap, according to Peopl Insurance.
The company said that burst pipes are “one of the most common problems during icy weather.”
Homeowners that are underinsured are more at risk of running into costly expenses but there are steps that you can take to prevent your pipes bursting.
Make sure the water tank and pipes in your attic are properly lagged or insulated while also checking pipes outdoors and in garages.
Insulate or wrap a towel around any outside taps to prevent them from freezing.
Find out where the stopcock is and how to use it to turn off the water supply if your pipes burst.
Run the heating for short periods to keep the pipes from freezing and to keep the water circulating.
Open your attic trap door to allow heat from the house to circulate through the attic.
Walk like a penguin
Winter slips and falls cause serious injuries, even when surfaces do not look especially icy or slippery.
When you cannot avoid walking on ice or snow, walking like a penguin can help you to avoid a nasty fall.
Bend slightly and keep your knees loose, point your feet out slightly, extend your arms at your sides, walk flat-footed while taking short steps and keep your centre of gravity over your feet.
Wear appropriate footwear and do not walk with your hands in your pockets.
In extreme conditions, consider using a walking stick or walking pole.
It becomes harder to see pedestrians in snowy conditions so wear high visibility clothing or carry a torch if you have to be out on the street.
Alone has urged older people to take particular care to avoid slipping on icy paths.
Slips, trips and falls in over 75s can have serious and even fatal consequences, with an average of 20% of older people dying within a year of a hip fracture, it said.
The HSE also urged the public take extra care during the cold snap to avoid slips, trips and falls.
It said people should wear non-slip footwear when leaving the house and that older people should avoid venturing outdoors if possible.
There are 14 injury units around the country where people can have injuries treated but the HSE stressed that many slips, trips and falls are preventable.
Dr Rosa McNamara, National Clinical Lead for Emergency Medicine and Consultant in Emergency Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital said it is important to pay attention on footpaths when walking.
“Stay off the phone, walk on the sunny side.. Try and be sensible in the way that you’re moving around.”
Calculate risk before driving
Drivers should ask themselves before getting in their cars during icy weather if the journey merits the risk they are taking.
It is important to calculate your risk carefully and be prepared.
Allow extra time for your journey and ensure that your headlights and taillights are all in working order.
Battery and tyres
Two of the most important things to check for winter driving conditions are your battery and your tyres.
If your battery is old and or failing then you are likely to have major problems.
If your battery fails then so too do your heating, lights and everything else.
If your battery is older than three years then you really should have it checked and see if it needs to be replaced – batteries work hard at all times of the year and are not designed to last forever.
Having a good battery is half the preparation for winter driving.
Your tyres are the only thing between you and the road and they are what stops you when you need to stop.
The minimum tread depth for tyres in Ireland is 1.6 mm – anything lower is asking for trouble.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA.ie) provides a very handy credit card-sized device that allows you to check the depth but you can just pop into a good tyre shop and have the check done.
Also, check whether your car carries a spare wheel? Is it inflated? Do you know how to change a wheel? If your car does not have a spare wheel, do you know how to use an inflation kit?
Tyres also need to be to the correct tyre pressure to give the motorist the best chance in extreme conditions.
Water and ice
Drive in the middle of the road as its usually the highest point.
When driving on ice or snow use as high a gear as you can to maintain traction; don’t brake suddenly but do gradually and keep your right foot light on the accelerator.
If you do skid then drive into the direction of the skid. If you jerk the wheel in the opposite direction then you will have no control.
Take care when de-icing car
Remember never to leave your engine running and the car unoccupied when you are de-icing the car.
In the past, gardaí have reported cars being stolen as their owners went inside to wait for the car to clear itself of ice.
Never use boiling water to de-ice – there is a very good chance of cracking the windscreen, so just use warm water.
Don’t pour water on or into the door locks as residual water can lodge and then freeze the locks even more later.
Safe distance
It takes longer to stop a car during the winter weather so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the car in front.
Also, ensure that your windows and mirrors are clear, and carry a de-icer and screen scraper.
Beware of black ice
Black ice is one of winter’s biggest hazards as it is difficult to see. Watch out for sheltered/ shaded areas on roads, under trees and near high walls.
Carry essentials in boot of car
It is advised that motorists carry a number of essentials in the boot of their car to use in case of an emergency.
These include: a high visibility vest, spare fuel, appropriate footwear in case you need to leave your vehicle e.g. boots, a hazard warning triangle, a spare wheel, tow rope, shovel, de-icing equipment (for glass and door locks), spare bulbs, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, a working torch, a car blanket, additional clothing and some food and water.
Read more:
RTÉ Brainstorm: It’s cold! How to prevent your body losing heat
RTÉ Lifestyle: Ways to keep warm at home without cranking up the central heating
RTÉ Lifestyle: Is it best to leave your heating on low all the time?
RTÉ Motors: Driving in bad weather – what you need to know
