Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
PEOPLE AROUND THE country are waking up to icy roads and freezing conditions in many areas this morning as the cold snap continues.
It may be the 1st of February but that doesn’t mean the weather is going to get any warmer, with lows of 0 to -6 degrees last night and things set to remain that way over the weekend.
Temperatures today are only set to reach as high as 5 degrees with a sharp frost present on many roads.
Apart from just being plain uncomfortable, prolonged cold weather brings with it a host of problems and dangers.
From freezing pipes, the icy roads to trying to get you car started in the morning – here are some of the best ways to minimise problems as the country weathers the cold conditions.
Don’t leave the taps running!
One of the primary concerns facing homeowners or renters during prolonged snaps is pipes potentially freezing.
This could impact water supply or heating – neither of which you want to be without when temperatures are dipping below freezing.
During The Beast from the East last year, Richard Burke of the Heating and Plumbing Association of Ireland talked to TheJournal.ie about what people should do (and not do) to keep water moving through their homes.
Burke cast aside the myth that leaving a water tap running can prevent the pipe freezing and bursting.
“I wouldn’t recommend it because it could have a knock-on effect with freezing. It’s a myth to leave the tap running, it can cause problems elsewhere,” Burke said.
He said that if the water is left running continuously it risks freezing the drain as it’s leaving the sink.
As for the water mains, Burke said that there is nothing householders can do to prevent the water that is entering the house from freezing the pipes.
If the water mains pipes underground aren’t deep enough below the surface, they can easily freeze above ground, Burke warned at the time.
So what can you do?
Burke also gave a list of practical measures people can take to lessen the risk of pies freezing. These include:
Meanwhile, Irish Water also has advice on its website for winter proofing your home.
Practical advice includes telling people to have a separate supply of fresh drinking water available on your premises in case a water pipe freezes or bursts due to the freezing weather. Any dripping water taps should also be fixed.
Battery problems
Outside of the home, one of the main practical problems facing people is how to clear away ice and get their car started in the morning – and how to stay safe on the roads once they do so.
AA Ireland said that in recent days it has seen a significant increase in the number of call outs to assist motorists. The bulk of these have been to do with battery issues, the service said.
AA said that weaker batteries can often struggle to start in cold weather even after a brief period of the car going unused.
“Ahead of this weekend, we would advise people who are planning to park the car on Friday after work and not go near it until Monday morning to be aware of the risks of battery faults during cold weather,” said AA’s Conor Faughnan.
He said that for anyone not planning on using their car over the weekend should think about turning it on and leaving it run for 10 to 15 minutes on Sunday.
Before you set out
Providing the battery is okay, these practical tips should be followed by anyone planning to drive in the cold conditions.
Driving
It’s also important to be extra cautious while driving on icy conditions and in places of poor visibility.
Also, if you happen to break down while on the road, Dublin Fire Brigade has some practical tips on what you should have with you:
Cold weather with icy conditions is set to last over the course of the weekend, with some milder temperatures expected early next week.
Until then – stay warm and stay safe!
With reporting from Daragh Brophy and Hayley Halpin
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
They should have it taken off them because of brexit. That’ll show Britain !!
@Brendan Harlowe: They will probably have to pay tax on that win as Britain is no longer an EU member.
@John Hagin Meade: They’re doing great at the vaccinations though, but you’ll never admit that Brexit is a success.
@Brendan Harlowe:
@Brendan Harlowe: Jealousy is not a good trait.
@roscommonrebel: yeah it’s a joke mate :) calm down .
@HonestGrump: it makes my eyes green though .. which is a nice colour
@roscommonrebel: come live here (in UK) so if you think it’s such a success. Been disastrous for existing businesses large and small, farmers and fishermen. Tories had to bung another £250m to EU to retain some access to Galileo.. But other than that yeah absolutey great, running just like clockwork….
@Sea__Point: Guess you’ll be leaving there and coming back here then so
@Brendan Harlowe: Its euromillions not EU millions miserableold git
All the best to them…lucky feckerrrrs
Very very low Returns for 2-3 & 4 numbers its just another Tax on the Poor and Desperate..even unclaimed prizes are now used for Tempting us to Buy tickets instead of Benefitting the community , You would be better off saving in the Credit union and entering the Car Draw for 1 euro a week.
@Larry Rawson: yes but who was winning The Cars
@Larry Rawson: listen mate. Each to their own. I buy a line or two just to give me a week long possibility and dream and wonderment of a stress free no money worry life, and a break from this rip off country. And I also get a decent salary but it’s just a not in can’t win type thing. Each to their own
@Larry Rawson: totally agree the lower tier prizes are terrible. It would be good to have higher prizes for the other matches. I like playing the lotto. It’s a bit of fun. I’m not poor, I am not rich. I won’t be poor by playing, and I certainly will never be rich without playing. I’ll take my chances with a play for a few euros a week.
@Larry Rawson: relax Larry. Most people don’t take it seriously. A bit of hope on a Friday when you get the email is all.
@Larry Rawson: Yet someone in The UK 140m better off couldn’t give a flying mickey what your payout stats say. Car draws? Newsflash…Priests Doctors and Nuns win them. Anyways. Good Luck to that UK winner. Brilliant stuff.
@Larry Rawson: ahh jaysus Larry..people will spend €3.50 for the opportunity to be a multi millionaire.its the price of a coffee or a newspaper..an expense I personally find just as useless as you find the lotto,but each to their own and I won’t begrudge anyone those things.. .ofcourse lotto isn’t a viable model to make money..but that wouldn’t matter a jot to anyone who actually ends up winning and by god you certainly won’t hear them complain bout the unfairness of lower prizes of getting 3 4 or 5 numbers if they pull in 140 million
@Larry Rawson: What is it with bitter Larry’s?
@Larry Rawson: bet u still has the communion money tucked away
How can someone not in the EU win the Euro millions, they wanted out so they should be barred for doing the lottery it for EU citizens not part of Britix
@Larry O Reilly: Switzerland is not in EU but is in Lotto, it’s a European lotto for the geographical area no European Union.
@Larry O Reilly: it’s a lotto for Europe which Britain is a part of not a lotto based on the European Union or currency. They didn’t leave Europe, they left the European Union.
@Larry O Reilly: it’s the Euromillions, not the EU millions.
@Larry O Reilly: it’s like Australia and Eurovision
@Larry O Reilly: What is it with bitter Larry’s?
@Larry O Reilly: Simon Coveney would not even come out with such a bias statement as yours.
@Brendan Cunningham: that made chuckle.
@Larry O Reilly: Eh they wont be taken off of it anytime soon, however due to them not being a member state they may possibly get taxed on it unlike the rest of the member states
That pair who went to Dubai- throw the book at them
@Pat Andrews: allegedly their trip went tits up!
@David Van-Standen: brilliant, I wish mine would too!
@Pat Andrews: haha.. They were given free legal aid.. Its a joke…
Open the pubs…
@Dave McMullan: close the fridges. (Or else the good goes off and the ice melts) #lifetip
@Dave McMullan: now
@Dave McMullan: Wish they would
Roll over 18 times and only 11 million.
Give it to them in Euro
@Mogh Roith: lol or the fish from their sea
English tvvaaaaankers should not be allowed in euro lotto.
@cork rebel: don’t think it has anything to do with the Euro (despite the name) or the EU.
@cork rebel: Such a dope you are.
#add #sponsoredpost
So jealous, the yacht ,the villa, 5 star hotels, fast cars etc
Jeff Bezos makes more than that in a day.
Why would anyone go public with their win???!!!
@owentighe: good question!!!! Although people might suspect something when you start driving a Lamborghini around!!!!
@Fiona Lawler: I know but why tell the world?!
have your say