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• Flooding advice

Get winter-ready

Last winter caused problems for many of us. So this year, it's important that we are ready in case we face similar conditions.

Cold weather can disrupt our daily lives in lots of different ways. So it's especially important to look after ourselves and vulnerable people in our community at this time.

There are measures we can all take to keep safe during the cold weather.

We have also developed a Protect your Home resource which will help you prepare your home for the many emergencies that may occur throughout the year.

• Download Protect your Home booklet (PDF - 1.64MB)

This section contains information to help you prepare for cold weather and freezing conditions.

Advice and information

Use the links below to find helpful advice on protecting your home against the cold, as well as general information to help you keep warm and well during winter.

As an individual, family or household, you should also make a Household Emergency Life-saving Plan and keep it safe in case you need it.

• Download Household Emergency Life-saving Plan (PDF - 700KB)

Burst pipes and flooding

• Prevent burst or frozen pipes in your home
• Find out what to do if your home is affected by flooding
• NI Water has a series of films to provide helpful advice on how to locate your stop valve, insulate your pipes and what to do if you have a frozen or burst pipe. Watch the winter advice films
• Winter advice in other languages from NIHE

Health and wellbeing

• Health and wellbeing advice for older people during winter
• Find out about our oil savings stamps scheme
• Help prevent spread of winter viruses

Information for businesses

• Prepare your business for winter

Power cuts

• Tips to help you prepare for and deal with a power cut

Roads and pavements

• Ice and snow on roads - We do not look after the gritting of roads.
• Clearing ice and snow from pavements yourself - Remember to buy a supply of salt or sand to put on icy steps or paths. You can buy this from any DIY store.
• Safety tips for driving in winter weather
• Check traffic bulletins provided by Traffic Watch NI

School closures

We do not look after schools in Belfast. For information on school closures due to bad weather, visit the NI Direct website

Weather forecast for Belfast

During cold weather, remember to check the weather forecast on a regular basis and look out for weather warnings issued by the Met Office

This Weather Widget is provided by the Met Office