MORE than 60% of Scots have said they are unprepared for another bout of poor winter weather.
They said they did not feel they were properly prepared for periods of severe weather like heavy snow, a prolonged freeze or flooding.
The Scottish Government will today launch ‘Ready for Winter?’, Scotland’s first ever severe weather preparedness campaign, which aims to encourage people, businesses and communities across the country to take simple but sensible steps to be ready for difficult weather conditions at home, on the road or in their community.
This comes after Scotland experienced two severe winters in a row, with last year’s being the worst in several decades. The Scottish Government and its agencies have worked hard to ensure that lessons are learned to improve preparations and enhance services, a key element of which will be this nationwide public awareness campaign.
The ‘Ready for Winter?’ campaign is being delivered in partnership with the British Red Cross.
Concern
Commenting on the research findings ahead of the campaign launch, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “We only need to look back over the past two winters to see the significant impact that prolonged periods of severe weather can have on the daily lives of individuals and on the communities in which they live.
“The Scottish Government and our partners in local government and elsewhere in the public, private and third sectors have worked hard to ensure that we have used the lessons learned to improve our services for the people of Scotland.
“This research shows that people are concerned about their ability to cope in an emergency, to keep themselves and their family safe, and it suggests that many do not feel adequately prepared for any severe weather that we might face this coming winter.
“Individuals and communities are stronger when they help themselves and help others. The campaign we will be launching with the British Red Cross, and other partners, will help address many of these concerns and will provide the sort of information and advice that many people have said they are looking for to make sure they can play their part in keeping safe and secure over the coming months.”
Norman McKinley, director of the British Red Cross in Scotland, said: “Despite the severe weather of the past two years, this research shows just how unprepared many people in Scotland are for winter.
“We want to show how easy it is to make life more comfortable for ourselves and others by taking a few simple steps. If we act now, we can save ourselves a lot of sorrow later.”
The full research report can be found at http://www.readyscotland.org/ready-government/preparedness-research/
For more information, visit www.readyscotland.org
