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Keep Warm And Stay Well This Winter

It’s essential to keep warm in order to stay well. As the weather gets colder, we’re all more likely to catch colds or flu and if your body temperature drops, the risks of a heart attack, stroke or breathing difficulties increase. This is especially true for older people. The following tips will help you keep your home and yourself warm this winter.

  • Hypothermia is a danger to everyone, particularly older people, during the winter months, so it’s vitally important to keep your home warm.
  • Please make sure that the room thermostat for your central heating (usually in the hallway) is set correctly and if the radiators are not heating the room sufficiently, try clicking it up two or three degrees. If it gets too hot, you can click it back down.
  • If you are still having problems with your heating, contact the Customer Service Team on freephone 0800 0432642. Emergency problems may be reported outside of office hours through your warden call system or the phone number provided.
  • Eat at least one hot meal a day and have hot drinks regularly throughout the day.
  • Try to look in on your neighbours as much as you can, especially if they have no family or other regular visitors living close by.
  • Please remember to take care when you are out and about in snowy and icy conditions. And don’t forget to wear flat, warm, non-slip shoes or boots.
  • Have a flu jab. Flu can be a serious hazard for older people. Talk to your GP if you’ve not already had your jab.
  • Dress for warmth. Wear several thin layers of clothes rather than one thick one. The warmth from your body gets trapped between the layers. The best materials to wear are wool, cotton or fleecy synthetics. When you’re outdoors, wear something on your head or you will get cold very quickly.

For advice on health matters, you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 at any time and speak in confidence to a qualified nurse.