Moray’s MSP has called for public vigilance as the weather starts to turn colder after two previous mild winters.
According to new research, consecutive mild winters may have made Scottish people less concerned about severe weather incidents, which has moved Richard Lochhead to declare there is no room for complacency.
Research commissioned by the Scottish Government and the British Red Cross has found that 40% of Scots surveyed said that they were concerned about emergencies caused by treacherous weather conditions, down from almost half who said they were worried a year ago.
The survey also found that almost nine out of ten car-owners believe they are prepared for an emergency, three-quarters carry an ice-scraper and de-icer, and 7% have experienced an extreme weather emergency in the past year, with even higher levels in rural areas.
Mr Lochhead said: “Scottish Government Transport Minister Keith Brown this week launched this year’s Ready for Winter? campaign and in so doing he has rightly focused on the need to take nothing for granted when it comes to winter safety in Scotland.”
He said that going back a few years, most parts of Scotland, including Moray, had been affected by severe weather ranging from snow and freezing temperatures to high winds and the recent severe flooding that affected pretty much all of the region. Mr LochheaIf there’s one thing we know about our weather it is that it is unpredictable.
“I would urge people to prepare an emergency kit for their home and car, note down emergency phone numbers and check on any neighbours, family or friends to see if they need any help. We can hope to never need to use emergency procedures but its far better to safe than sorry this winter.”