UK households urged to move beds away from walls on Sunday

Households in all four nations of the UK are being urged to move their beds this weekend if they have tall chimneys on the roof.

A yellow weather warning for strong winds has been issued in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Sunday, starting at 6am and running all the way until 6pm.

It means that wind could disrupt journeys, damage property and even cause localised power cuts.

In its advice on staying safe in strong winds, the Met Office said: “Gales are the most common cause of damage and disruption in the UK.

“Between 1962 and 1995, 184 deaths alone were caused by building failures resulting from wind. The majority of damage reports come from domestic dwellings. The average cost of damage each year is at least £300 million.”

It advised that before a storm hits, you should take care to move your bed if you have a tall chimney stack that’s in a bad condition directly above.

It said: “If chimney stacks are tall and in poor condition, move beds away from areas directly below them.

“Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows and other glazing and break them.

“Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house, and especially large doors such as those on garages.

“Close and secure loft trapdoors with bolts, particularly if roof pitch is less than 30 degrees.”

The advice also says that people should stay indoors as much as possible and keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences.

In its forecast for this Sunday, the Met Office said: “Southerly to southwesterly winds are expected to increase through Sunday morning, peaking late morning to early afternoon with gusts of 50-60mph, and perhaps as much as 70mph in exposed spots along Irish Sea coastlines, Scottish Islands, and other areas of high ground further inland.

“Rain will accompany strong winds, which will make for very poor weather conditions, especially on roads. Winds will then ease from southwest to northeast of the warning area through the afternoon and early evening.”

The yellow weather warning is in place for 103 UK areas, including all of the north, all of Scotland, all of Wales and parts of the south including Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.