PEOPLE across Craven are being urged to get ‘winter ready’.

Yorkshire Water has launched a free Winter Ready pack.

It contains a range of information and advice to protect homes during cold conditions – and details of what to do in an emergency.

Tips include:

* Protect all exposed pipe work, cisterns, tanks, taps and water meters in unheated areas with waterproof foam lagging or insulation

* Know where the stop tap is located at the property in case it needs to be turned off in an emergency. The main stop tap is usually found at the point where the pipe work enters the premises – often under the kitchen sink

* Make sure you keep a plumber’s number handy in case of an emergency

* Keep homes warm – set central heating on a low heat or a 24-hour constant setting

* If going away on holiday tell a neighbour or friend so that they can check to make sure there have been no burst pipes

Neil Dewis, for Yorkshire Water, said: “Without lagging, cold temperatures can cause havoc for pipes, with freezing temperatures potentially cutting off a home’s water supply.

“Pipes, taps, cisterns, tanks and water meters in unheated areas are all at risk of bursting, causing mayhem both in the home and outside, where repairs may need to be made.

“It’s incredibly important to make sure your home is winter ready.

“In addition to the free Winter Ready pack, we offer a priority services register for customers with additional needs.”

To order a pack, visit yorkshirewater.com/help-and-advice/winterready.