1 June 2023
Weather-Health Alerting System guidance first published
The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office run a Weather-Health Alerting System of heat and cold alerts, and its guidance page was first published on 1 June 2023.
Getting Ready news
We cover news from public bodies and utility companies for UK households on power cuts, weather, water, health, safety and security. Each report includes the date and sources, with links to our guides.
June 2023
1 June 2023
Water supply interruption affected South East Water customers
The Consumer Council for Water and Ofwat have published joint research into how South East Water handled water supply interruptions that affected its customers in June 2023.
1 June 2023
Record water demand causes low pressure and no water for some Kent and Sussex customers
South East Water has announced temporary hosepipe restrictions for Kent and Sussex from 26 June 2023 after record demand left some customers with low pressure or no water.
May 2023
26 May 2023
RLSS UK issues water safety warning ahead of bank holiday after young people drown in warm weather
The Royal Life Saving Society UK has warned people to take care around water over the bank holiday weekend after a number of young people drowned during the warm weather that week.
25 May 2023
Recall notice updated to include AC adaptor model number
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has updated its April 2023 recall notice for a High-Power multi-function jump starter to add the model number of its AC adaptor, HR-1501000.
18 May 2023
Public urged to Respect the Water as 2022 statistics show 226 accidental drownings in the UK
The National Water Safety Forum has published 2022 figures showing 226 accidental drownings in the UK, most at inland water, and is urging the public to Respect the Water as warmer weather begins.
1 May 2023
Recall notice issued for Multi-functional Portable Vehicle Power sold via eBay
A portable vehicle power unit sold on eBay as model HN-538 has been recalled because it presents a risk of electric shock and fire and fails to meet the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.
April 2023
27 April 2023
Adverse Weather and Health Plan first published
The UK Health Security Agency first published the Adverse Weather and Health Plan on 27 April 2023, bringing the separate heatwave and cold weather plans for England into a single framework.
27 April 2023
UKHSA published the Adverse Weather and Health Plan
The UK Health Security Agency published the Adverse Weather and Health Plan on 27 April 2023, a national framework covering the health effects of flooding and other severe weather.
23 April 2023
UK-wide test of Emergency Alerts system scheduled for 3pm on Sunday 23 April
The Cabinet Office has set 3pm on Sunday 23 April for a UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts system, sending a siren-like message to 4G and 5G phones for up to ten seconds.
23 April 2023
UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts service
A UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts service was sent to phones in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland on 23 April 2023, with a separate Welsh-language test sent to Wales.
18 April 2023
Product recall issued for Multi-Function Jump Starter JX27
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has recalled a High-Power multi-function jump starter, model JX27 with AC adapter HR-1501000, sold between May 2021 and August 2022, because it presents a…
17 April 2023
Norovirus guidance leaflet updated
The UK Health Security Agency updated its norovirus guidance on 17 April 2023, setting out how the winter vomiting bug spreads and the hygiene measures it says stop it passing between people.
12 April 2023
UK Emergency Alerts system goes live
The UK government's Emergency Alerts system went live on 12 April 2023, sending siren-like messages to compatible mobile phones when lives are in danger, with a national test set for Sunday 23 April…
12 April 2023
Strong winds forecast across central southern England
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has enacted resilience plans ahead of strong winds across central southern England on Wednesday 12 April, with gusts forecast to reach 55mph inland and 60mph…
3 April 2023
Online Home Shop electric heated blankets recalled over fire risk
Online Home Shop has recalled two electric heated blankets sold between September 2022 and January 2023 after they were found to present a serious risk of fire and possible electric shock.
1 April 2023
First national test of Emergency Alerts system held
The UK held its first national test of the Emergency Alerts system in April 2023, sending a siren-like message to compatible phones across the country to check the system works.
1 April 2023
First national test of the emergency alerts system held
The first national test of the UK emergency alerts system took place in April 2023, with the government saying some phones did not sound and tracing the problem to specific networks.
1 April 2023
Adverse Weather and Health Plan first published
The UK Health Security Agency first published the Adverse Weather and Health Plan in April 2023, bringing together England's heat and cold weather guidance under a single plan with colour coded health…
March 2023
28 March 2023
NHS relaunches Act F.A.S.T. stroke awareness campaign
NHS England has relaunched its Act F.A.S.T.