This current blast of snow (November 10) is the earliest winter snow to hit Britain for over 17 years. It is also the coldest spell in November for over 81 years. Climate change is here and NOW.

To help get you about here are a few safety tips but please don't think I'm trying to "teach granny to suck eggs"  if you know these tips pass them on if not then head them and then pass them on.

If you have to venture out to work etc then if in a car carry the following.

A SLEEPING BAG, 3 SEASON PREFERABLY

A THERMOS FLASK WITH HOT SOUP IN

IF NEEDED A SECOND ONE WITH TEA

SOME CHOCOLATE BARS

A CHANGE OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWARE. MAKING THIS UP OF THIN LAYERS RATHER THAN ONE THICK JUMPER

A CHARGED MOBILE PHONE

TORCH, PREFERABLY WIND UP

A SUPPLY OF HIGH ENERGY SNACKS SUCH AS SUNFLOWER SEEDS, NUTS DRIED FRUIT ETC

A MAP IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF THE AREA

ALSO KEEP IN THE CAR A CAN OF DE ICER, SOME DILUTED WINDOW WASH FLUID AND A SUPPLY OF PAPER TOWELS

A SMALL COMPACT SHOVEL

LARGE TORCH

FULL TANK OF PETROL

PORTABLE WIND UP RADIO.

IF WALKING CARRY A DAY SAC WITH A CHANGE OF CLOTHING, SUITABLE STURDY FOOTWARE / WALKING BOOTS TORCH, GLOVES, SCARF, HAT, A HIGH ENERGY DRINK AND SOME CHOCOLATE BARS. A COUPLE OF POUNDS IN CHANGE / A PHONE CARD IN CASE YOU NEED A PHONE AND THE MOBILE SIGNAL IS DOWN, A CHARGED MOBILE PHONE.

LISTEN TO THE WEATHER FORCASTS, TRY NOT TO TRAVEL ALONE, LEAVE PLENTY OF TIME FOR THE JOURNEY, STAY ON WELL LIT OCCUPIED ROADS EVEN IF THIS MEANS TAKING A LONGER WAY HOME. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND WHERE YOU ARE BECAUSE IF YOU NEED HELP AND YOU CAN GIVE THE HELPERS A SECURE POINT FOR WHERE YOU ARE WILL REDUCE THE TIME YOU NEED BE ALONE AND THUS REDUCE THE CHANCE OF HYPOTHERMIA.

FINALLY WHEN AT HOME KEEP WARM, DRINK PLENTY OF WARM DRINKS AND SOUPS, IF NEEDED ONLY HEAT ONE ROOM TO A HIGH TEMPERITURE AND THE REST OF THE HOUSE TO A LESSER TEMPERITURE. WEAR LAYERS OF CLOTHING AND ABOVE ALL BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR AND CHECK IN ON ANY OLD, INFIRM OR DISABLED NEIGHBOURS.