Staying well during the Cold Weather
Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
Heat your home to a temperature that's comfortable for you. If you can, this should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom. This is particularly important if you have a health condition. It's best to keep your bedroom windows closed at night.
Make sure you're getting all the help that you're entitled to. There are grants, benefits and advice available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills.
Find out more about ways to save energy in your home from GOV.UK, or call the government helpline on 0800 444 202.
You can also find out more from GOV.UK about benefits and financial support if you're on a low income.
Check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives
People such as older neighbours, friends and family members, may need some extra help over the winter. There's a lot you can do to help people who need support.
Icy pavements and roads can be very slippery, and cold weather can stop people from going out.
Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family and ask if they need any practical help, or if they're feeling unwell.
Make sure they're stocked up with enough food supplies for a few days, in case they cannot go out.
If they do need to go out in the cold, encourage them to wear shoes with a good grip and a scarf around the mouth to protect them from cold air, and to reduce their risk of chest infections.
Make sure they get any prescription medicines before the holiday period starts and if bad weather is forecast.
If they need help over the holiday period when the GP surgery or pharmacy is closed or they're not sure what to do, go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
If you're worried about a relative or elderly neighbour, contact your local council or call the Age UK helpline on 0800 678 1602 (8am to 7pm every day). You can find your local council on GOV.UK.
If you're concerned the person may have hypothermia, go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
What other measures can people take to stay warm this winter?
There are many ways to look after yourself during the winter:
- Making sure you have sufficient food and medicine in case you are unable to go out when it’s cold and icy
- Take simple measures to reduce draughts in your home. You can fit draft excluders around doors cheaply. Depending on what you can afford, options could include insulation of water pipers to prevent them from freezing; loft insulation; internal, cavity and external wall insulation; and double (or triple) window glazing.
- Keep your windows closed at night
- Wear several layers of thinner clothing; this can keep you warmer than one thicker layer
- Exercising – try not to sit still for more than an hour or so, but if you find it difficult to move about, stretching your arms and legs can also keep you warm. If you have visitors, it can help stop the spread of germs to ventilate the room for a few minutes before and after they arrive; you might be more comfortable leaving the window open during their visit, if it’s not too cold
- Wearing good-fitting slippers with a good grip indoors and shoes with a good grip outside to prevent slips, trips and falls
- Eat well and stay hydrated. It can sometimes be difficult to keep up the motivation to prepare meals in winter, but our diet, including how much we eat, is an important part of staying healthy and well.
- Make sure your household appliances are safe and working well. Regular servicing of your appliances can keep them working efficiently and for longer, saving you money.
What support is available to people in order to cope with this rising costs?
You should make sure you are receiving all the help that you are entitled to. There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to help you make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help manage energy bills.
There are also support measures in place to help with the cost of living, especially for those on low incomes. For example, if you claim certain benefits or tax credits, you may be eligible for an extra payment from the government to help with the cost of living. The government has published energy saving tips to help save money on bills.
You can visit www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/heating or call 0800 444202 for more information on the discounts you are entitled to ahead of the winter months.
