Much of Scotland woke up this morning to bitterly cold temperatures and icy conditions on the roads.
It comes after yesterday's persistent snow showers , which left parts of the country looking like a winter wonderland.
But as the country wraps-up warm and braves the day, there are certain things you must be aware of if you want to keep the impact of this week's bitterly cold and snowy weather to a minimum.
So, with the help of the Liverpool Echo , we've pulled together a list of six important things that you should avoid - but you might not have thought of before.
DO NOT pour boiling water on your car windscreen
Pouring hot water on your windscreen may seem like the quickest way to defrost it, especially in that early morning rush.
But the rapid expansion and contraction of the ice as a result of the hot water could cause the screen to crack.
Instead, turn on the engine and allow the air-conditioning to circulate around the car.
DO NOT leave your car unattended
Owners who leave their engines running while they run inside to grab something they’ve forgotten are a car thief’s dream - and also breaking the law.
Drivers have to be ‘in control’ of their vehicle at all times. If you need to go back into the house you should turn off the engine, lock the car and head in. Car insurers rarely pay out if the keys are left in the car.
DO NOT drive to normal road conditions
Driving in snow and ice should not be taken for granted, no matter how little your area might have received.
Black ice in particular has caused many accidents on roads where people thought they were clear to drive as normal.
Leave plenty of time for all journeys and take extra time to get from A to B.
Don’t forget to maintain safe stopping distances and use your fog lights accordingly.
DO NOT neglect your health during cold spells
The Met Office have provided a number of tips to keep people healthy while weather warnings for ice and snow are in place
1. Keep your hands and face warm - if they get cold they can trigger a rise in blood pressure which puts you at increased risk of a heart attack.
2. Remember that several thin layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thick layer, as the layers trap warm air.
3. Wear warm clothes in bed. When very cold, wear thermal underwear, bed socks and even a hat - a lot of heat is lost through your head.
DO NOT go to A&E with treatable winter illnesses
If you are normally fit and well, many of the coughs, colds and minor illnesses that seem to strike us in winter can be safely managed by yourself.
The NHS has provided plenty of advice on their website on how to treat these common ailments and you can also talk to your local pharmacist.
Hospitals are often left in crisis due to overcrowding during winter months as people turn up at A&E with cold and flu like symptoms.
This can cause longer waiting times for people with serious illnesses and injuries.
If you have any concerns you can call the NHS helpline on 111 for advice on whether to attend A&E or your local walk-in centre.
DO NOT let the temperature drop in your home
Putting the heating on might sound obvious, but different bodies have different temperature needs depending on age and general wellbeing.
If you’re 65 and over, not very mobile or suffering from a health condition such as heart or lung disease, the NHS recommend heating your home to at least 18C.
If you’re healthy and active you can safely have your home cooler than this, but babies should sleep in rooms heated between 16C and 20C to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Source: DailyRecord