Look out for one another

Over the past week Northern Ireland has experienced the lowest temperatures on record, with some places recording temperatures as low as minus 12 degrees.

Although many areas are beginning to experience milder temperatures, many places remain covered in a blanket of ice and snow - and forecasters are predicting more snow on the way next week.

Sadly the roads have claimed a number of lives over the past week and my thoughts are with those who have lost family members and friends in these collisions. In the run up to Christmas, this is particularly poignant.

I know the Roads Service has been working around the clock to help ensure that the main routes, and where possible some minor roads, are kept as clear as possible. We owe them our thanks for the difficult task which they undertake, often in very treacherous conditions, to help keep us all safe.

By only venturing out when journeys are absolutely necessary, allowing plenty of time for our journey, reducing our speed, keeping our distance, using our headlights and fog lights when appropriate, clearing windscreens fully and making sure our lights, washer bottles, wipers etc are all working properly we can all help keep each other safe. And of course we should never, ever drink and drive.

I was greatly encouraged by the sense of community and concern which I heard about earlier this week, as the people of a small West Belfast community gave away free thermal clothing to their older neighbours. This was a really practical and thoughtful thing to do.

During last year’s winter months it is estimated that more than 1,000 people aged over 65 died due to the winter weather. With even colder temperatures, much earlier in the winter period, there is a very real risk of this number increasing.

Many older people really struggle during periods of extreme cold. I was recently told of a story where a lady in a Belfast shopping centre saw two older people having a packed lunch. When they were asked what they were doing, they explained that they come to the centre and bring a lunch with them so they don’t have to put their heating on.

We all know of older family members or neighbours who are vulnerable. Whilst it is good to check in with them throughout the year, it is even more important at this time to regularly call and check to make sure that they are warm, that they wear lots of layers of clothes and that they have sufficient food in their homes so that they do not have to venture out onto slippery surfaces.

In the business of life, especially in the run-up to Christmas, it’s often easy to overlook those who need our help the most. Let’s all be really good neighbours this Christmas.