Arctic Weather To Hit The Uk, Is It Now Time To Worry About Animals And The Elderly?

[Jahulaye]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5124615/Temperatures-Britain-fall-10C-week.html

It’s a double edged sword but it Looks like we just might have a white Xmas AND payback for the last few mild winters we received

[Mamyalynne]

One takes care of the animals and elderly relatives,friends and neighbours all year.

[mikey4444]

Its been ruddy cold here for the last week....I have even had to switch my central heating on !

But I doubt if it will snow here in Swansea, although there is some snow up on the Beacons.

[Islay]

We drove through the most shocking snow on Saturday but one should take care of animals and elderly all year.

[nailit]

And don't forget the homeless. I posted a week or two ago about how my local council are now making it illegal for the homeless to sleep in tents in parts of the city and fining them for trying to keep warm. (and confiscating the tents)

[Jahulaye]

Yes, definitely the homeless and confiscating tents is sickening, they may as well take the tents then hand them a body bag and coffin

[mazie]

How do folk survive in these temperatures nailit? I come outside to the shed for a quick ciggie and I'm freezing. :0(

[nailit]

If they had the money for body bags and coffins they probably would Jahulaye. Heartless bar stewards.

[Jahulaye]

“0ne takes care of the animals and elderly relatives,friends and neighbours all year”

More animals and elderly die from neglect and cold in winter than the rest of the year besides “one” is not the majority sadly :)

[nailit]

God knows Mazie. Ive been homeless but not in this weather.

[jourdain2]

OH and I have just splurged and put the heating on (he's 84 and feels the cold, likely to have to have another skin-cancer op. soon) - seriously, we'll be fine, it's a supportive community where we live and unpulled-back curtains in the morning would bring neighbours banging at the door. Remember OH went through the war and is a tough old stick - and I try to make him take care of himself. (Thankless task, by the way.)
A really long, very cold spell could cause us problems.
I look forward to a white Christmas - as long as it sticks to Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing Day.

[mikey4444]

I have every pity for anyone trying to live in a tent at this time of year.

In my youth, I have slept in a tent, even in the snow !

When you were in your sleeping bag, it wasn't so bad. But the getting up and doing anything during the day was almost impossible.

The homeless have my utmost sympathy.

[ichkeria]

I don't want to sound complacent, but Arctic? Really?
Temperatures of -10 in the Scottish glens is hardly uncommon.

The children in Oymyakon in Siberia get a day off school when temperatures dip to -52. As it was a balmy -50 only this week then school was on as normal :-)
That is Arctic.

[mazie]

I just can't imagine living outside in this weather nailit. No one should !

[ichkeria]

No one should have to live outside in any weather.

[jourdain2]

nailit - Mr. J2 and I make our local charity to take care of homeless people our priority. We've a box in church collecting food donations and useable household items for furnishing rooms when they can be found. It helps that a prominent villager involves himself and is on the administrative committee.
To be out tonight is unthinkable, but I can't, myself, walk the streets and help. We do what we can and everyone should have the vulnerable and homeless high on their agendas at this time of year.

[mikey4444]

Itchy....yes but I don't expect anyone is living in a tent in Siberia, unless its one of those round Yurt things, with a stove inside.

I have just finished reading about the trans-Siberian railway, and when temps get below a certain level, all work stops, as metals become brittle, and the ground is so solid with ice, that it can't be worked.

[Jahulaye]

Icheria I know that but many homeless, elderly and animals will die, the economy, transport and the country grinds to halt at -1 as we’ve all seen too many times

[ichkeria]

The weather in the UK does not look like it’s set to reach anything like Siberian levels: that was my point. It’s typical Daily Mail sensationalism. The temperature in St Petersburg at the moment is not greatly different from the temperatures we used to see here regularly in late November not so long ago. Of course the colder it gets the worse it is for anyone who has no proper shelter. But do we give a damn at any other time? It can’t be much fun living outside at the best of times

[pastafreak]

Ireland seems to be doing something about it...

http://www.newstalk.com/Government-confirms-details-of-200-emergency-beds-for-homeless-sleepers

...and there is guidance for uk local government ...if you care to wade through numerous documents on the topic...

http://www.homeless.org.uk/our-work/resources/guidance-on-severe-weather-emergency-protocol-swep-and-extended-weather-provision

[Togo]

I deployed my thermal long johns this morning. Not a pretty sight, but a boon when the North wind is blasting in as it is right now. The heating was on earlier but now we are OK with the gas fire in the living room, and I have the oven and the footie on in the kitchen with a couple of jacket spuds just about done. Thanks for your concern. :))