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‘Keep Warm, Eat Well and Avoid Unnecessary Travel’ Urges HSE Mid West as Orange Weather Warning Issued for Limerick, Clare and Tipperary

Members of the Public Urged to Check in On Older Relatives and Neighbours

  • Ensure Supply of Medicines/Food Ahead of Potentially Protracted Cold Snap
  • Injury Units in St John’s, Ennis and Nenagh Can Treat Common Injuries from Slips and Falls

Friday 3rd January, 2025 ¦ WITH weather conditions expected to deteriorate sharply over the coming days and into next week, the HSE Mid West is urging members of the public to follow all advice on how to stay well during this cold spell.

A Status Orange weather alert for snow and ice will be in effect in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary from 5pm on Saturday, January 4th until 5pm on Sunday, January 5th.

Cold weather can be harder on older people and on other vulnerable members of the community and relatives and neighbours are encouraged to check in on them – in person or over the phone - over the coming days.

Older persons can prepare for bad weather by:

  • Ensuring you have enough medicine in case you can’t get to the pharmacy
  • Ensuring you have contact phone numbers for your GP and GP out-of-hours service
  • Making sure you have extra food in the house in case poor weather makes it hard to go to the shops
  • Staying in touch with family, friends or carers
  • Dressing in layers ⁠- a few light layers will keep you warmer than one heavy layer
  • Staying active indoors by walking around or try some indoor exercises
  • Taking hot drinks during the day and eating at least one hot meal a day to help you stay warm
  • Checking the weather forecast so you can be prepared for very cold weather

Maria Bridgeman, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, Limerick City and North Tipperary, HSE Mid West, said: “All the indications are that we are about to enter a protracted period of very harsh weather conditions. We are urging members of the public to check in on their older neighbours and other vulnerable members of the community and in particular on those living alone.

“This is especially important in more remote areas as the snow and ice we are expecting will make for hazardous travel conditions. We in the HSE Mid West will make every effort to ensure we continue to provide as full a service as possible, in terms of home supports, public health nursing and other community services, during this period of cold weather.”

The Be Winter Ready website https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/aa78b9-be-winter-ready provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.

With some severe frost and icy stretches are expected over the coming days, our injury units at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals are available to treat any minor injuries in the case of a slip or a fall.

Injury Units treat broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns. They are open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week in:

  • Ennis, 065 686 3121, V95 HN29
  • Nenagh, 067 42311, E45 PT86
  • St John’s, Limerick, 061 462 222, V94 H272

The Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick remains open 24-7 for patients with the most serious illnesses and injuries, including life-threatening emergencies. Anyone attending ED with a less urgent condition may face long waiting times.

Ms Bridgeman added: “Our advice is that people to keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel. People should have regular hot meals and drink plenty of fluids. This will keep you warm and will give you energy to keep active indoors. Ensure you have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription medicine you may need. People should have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in your home. Keep your mobile phone charged and if you must go outside, wear non-slip footwear.”

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