FIREFIGHTERS are on high alert as temperatures are set to plummet to minus four degrees.

With the earliest onset of cold weather in almost 20 years Barnet’s firefighters are preparing to protect the borough’s residents.

London Fire Brigade has provisions for water rescue across the capital including rescue boats, inflatable rescue paths, mud lances, thermal clothing and dry suits.

The brigade is gearing up for an increase in incidents caused by the cold weather including injuries on frozen ponds and lakes, flooding caused by frozen pipes, road traffic accidents and fires caused by people using candles, heaters and fires.

The public are being urged to take extra precautions by ensuring pipes in homes are properly lagged, driving carefully on icy roads, staying away from frozen ponds and lakes and not leaving cooking, candles and heaters unattended.

Tom George, London Fire Brigade’s borough commander for Barnet, said: “Whether it is helping to save people from frozen ponds or pumping out flooded houses we are on standby round the clock to help.

“However, it is important that people take extra care during these next few days so that we do not have to be called out in the first place.

“If people take simple but effective steps to protect themselves from the cold snap it could mean the difference between either their life being put at risk or their home becoming flooded.”

People are reminded problems with plumbing and pipes should be reported to a plumber in the first instance and 999 should only be called in an emergency.