Households are being urged to show extra vigilance and ensure vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives are safe as the big freeze bites.

With forecasters predicting severe weather – temperatures are expected to plummet this weekend, with the north particularly vulnerable to icy conditions and snow – the Local Government Association, which represents almost 400 local authorities, is urging people to be watchful.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:

“On average, 24,000 deaths occur in England every year as a result of the cold temperatures. Most are aged over 75, and their deaths could have been avoided with better preparation for cold weather.

“As the freeze sets in we need everyone in our communities to be on the look-out for signs that something might be wrong. Whether it be milk bottles left outside, newspapers stuck in the letterbox or curtains drawn all day, any sort of unusual activity could be a sign that something is wrong and that someone is in need of help.”

Council teams will be on standby to help with everything from carrying out emergency household repairs like defrosting pipes and fixing frozen boilers to delivering hot meals and portable heaters, and will be checking in on elderly and vulnerable residents to make sure they are okay.

Meanwhile, local authority gritters are out in force and council depots filled with around 1.3 million tonnes of salt.

Highway teams are monitoring high-tech weather forecasts with highly-trained staff on standby around the clock and already being deployed to grit highways as temperatures plummet.

As freezing temperatures set in, council leaders are also issuing a call to all community-spirited residents, postmen and milkmen to keep a watch on the elderly and vulnerable.

The annual Winter Readiness Survey shows councils have topped up their salt supplies – after using less grit than usual during last year’s mild winter – and are ready to use innovative technology to cope with the sub-zero conditions.

The survey, of council highway teams across England and Wales, found 91 per cent of local authorities maintained or increased salt stock levels this winter.

Other key findings from the survey include:

• Quad bikes will be used to grit pavements and town centre footways while the majority of councils are now using GPS technology to guide their gritters to prioritise routes and avoid duplication.
• Community grit bins will be filled by 83 per cent of councils so members of the public can access salt. Snow volunteers continue to be recruited across the country to help spread grit on pavements and paths with park staff, street cleaners and farmers primed to join the community efforts to keep roads and paths clear of snow and ice.