PEOPLE are being warned not to mix electric blankets with hot water bottles as freezing weather sweeps the country.
The Met Office has warned that temperatures will drop well below freezing in some areas and that the coming cold snap could bring fresh “wintry hazards” after Storm Claudia left parts of the country flooded.
The message from Gloucestershire Fire Brigade was posted on X on Sunday: “Never use an electric blanket or a hot water bottle together.”
Its website adds that combining the two could be dangerous, warning: “you could electrocute yourself”.
The service also encourages people to use thermostats properly and to get electric blankets safety-checked every three years.
Public advice around cold weather has previously drawn criticism, with some accusing officials of being overly cautious.
In January, the NHS told older people to wear socks in bed and avoid going outside at the coldest times of day.
It also recommended that households keep food and essential medication in stock as temperatures dropped.
And in the summer of 2023, the Met Office reminded elderly people to wear hats during expected 30C heat.
Risk of snow
Dan Holley, the Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, said: “There will be widespread frosts across the UK, with temperatures dipping as low as -7C in places next week, and daytime temperatures staying in single figures across the country.”
At Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands, temperatures dipped to -7C on Saturday night, the lowest level recorded since March, according to the Met Office.
A further fall is expected in the coming days, with daytime highs sinking towards 11C on Sunday before dropping again next week.
Forecasters say snow could settle in northern England, North Wales and Scotland from Tuesday, with parts of the South and Midlands also at risk later in the week.
BBC Weather is predicting sleet for London and snow for Birmingham on Wednesday night, with national daytime temperatures stuck at around 4–7C through to Saturday.
‘Notable change in our weather’
Mr Holley said: “As Storm Claudia retreats to the south, high pressure to the north-west will drive a cold northerly flow from the Arctic across the UK.
“This will bring much colder conditions than of late and, whilst generally drier than recent days, there will also be a risk of wintry hazards, such as snow and ice.
“This will be a notable change in our weather after a prolonged spell of above average temperatures.”
The UK Health Security Agency has put parts of the Midlands and northern England on alert for severe cold from Monday, while the Environment Agency warns that flooding caused by Storm Claudia is set to linger in some areas over the weekend.
The alert runs from 8am Monday to 8am Friday and covers the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.
The Sun’s more detailed weather report can be found here.
