• keep warm, heating and plumbing

Winter is here and it is cold out there!

Cold homes have a significant impact on people’s health. One of the best ways of keeping yourself well during winter is to stay warm.

Keeping warm over the winter months can help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.Getting ready for the cold weather means that you’re more likely to keep warm and well.

Here are Winter Tips that you may practice to stay safe and ward off the winter chills:

  • Make sure that your boiler is running properly along with a timer and a room thermostat.
  • Make sure that your heating system has been serviced within last 12 months.
  • Avoid turning off radiators in the rooms where you have external walls to avoid burst pipes. Make sure you know where the main stopcock is and check that it’s easy to turn so you can turn off the water if you need to.
  • Never block air vents and if you have wood-burning, coal or gas heaters make sure there’s adequate ventilation.
  • Do not use gas fires and gas heaters while you are sleep.
  • Make sure your smoke alarm is working. You can ask your local fire service to check your home for fire safety. It’s free and you may be eligible to get free smoke alarms fitted.
  • Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm in each room that has a gas appliance.
  • Make sure you claim all the financial support you can to help with heating bills.
  • Keep a mixture of salt and sand handy to put on steps or paths in icy weather.
  • Keep simple cold, flu and sore throat remedies in the house.
  • Follow up your GP’s invitation to have a flu jab.
  • Order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time, particularly if bad weather is forecast.
  • Keep basic food items in the cupboard or freezer in case it’s too cold to go shopping. You could also do your food shopping online and get it delivered to your door.
  • Eat healthily and keep as active as possible.
  • Keep a torch handy in case you lose power and keep your radio, mobile phone, laptop or tablet fully charged, so you can use the battery power if there’s no electricity. If there is a power cut you can call 105 for free. You’ll be put through to your local network operator who can give you help and advice.
  • Keep a list of emergency numbers, such as your utility companies, by your phone.

For more information about how to prepare for winter, please visit NHS website.