Statutory and public bodies in Kerry are urging members of the public to be ‘Winter Ready’.

The HSE, Kerry County Council and An Garda Síochána are encouraging households to make preparations for adverse weather and to ensure that neighbours reach out to older or vulnerable households at this time to ensure that they are prepared for any potential winter weather.

The Kerry agencies are working closely with their counterparts in Cork as part of the Cork and Kerry Interagency Emergency Management Office coordination of the response to winter emergencies.

The local organisations are drawing the attention of the public to the winterready.ie website which has useful tips and information for members of the public, including advice on how to avoid trips and falls, and how to make sure your home and family are prepared for winter.

The HSE Department of Public Health for the region is encouraging the public to protect the health service this winter by taking up both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines when they are offered. Walk-in clinics are available for anyone who hasn’t received the full course of COVID-19 vaccines, and certain groups are now being offered booster vaccines. The flu vaccine is also available at the moment free of charge to certain groups, including healthcare workers, those aged over 65, and children aged between two and 17.

The firefighters of Cork City, Cork County, and Kerry County Fire Services ask that householders check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working, and if they’re not already installed, to get them installed.

Local statutory bodies will be promoting important messages over the coming weeks around issues like road safety, preparing the home, health and well-being, advice for older people, and details of important emergency contacts.

All of the local agencies including the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána, Kerry Fire Service, Kerry Civil Defence and Kerry County Council work closely together to ensure a coordinated response to any emergencies which may arise over the winter months.