It's very important to protect yourself against the cold. Around half of all deaths that are caused by cold weather are due to heart disease or stroke. A drop in body temperature contributes to these deaths by thickening (clotting) the blood and restricting circulation. During colder weather, there is also an increased risk of injury from falls, and people are more prone to seasonal illnesses, such as influenza (flu).
It's particularly important for the elderly to keep warm during the winter. Colder weather increases blood pressure and makes the blood thicker and more likely to clot. Those already with heart and vascular disease are most at risk from developing a stroke or heart problem in cold conditions. Also, the elderly are often at greater risk from the cold because they may not keep their houses at a warm enough temperature during the winter months.
Many people are complacent about cold weather, but research shows that the number of deaths caused by the cold increases when the temperature drops below 18 degrees celsius by just one degree.
Keeping warm in the winter
You may find the advice below, about how to keep warm and well in cold weather, useful.
- Keep your home warm. This means keeping the main rooms you use during the day at a minimum of 21 degrees celsius, and keeping your bedroom at a minimum of 18 degrees celsius at night when you're asleep. You can also use a hot water bottle, or electric blanket, (although never together at the same time) to keep warm overnight.
- Improve your insulation and draught proofing. You may be able to get assistance with paying for this. For more information see Financial help or Further information at the bottom of the page.
- Make sure that your heating system is working safely and effectively. You should have your heating system (including flues) installed, maintained, and regularly serviced by a trained, reputable, registered engineer.
You should also have your chimney and flues swept from top to bottom regularly (at least once a year) by a qualified sweep. Check safety measures on your gas, oil, coal, wood and any other carbon-containing fuel appliances to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you need a new heating system, you may be able to get assistance with paying for it. See Further information section for more information.
- Wrap up warm, inside and out. Several thin layers are better than one thick layer and wearing a hat, gloves and a scarf will help to keep you warmer in cold weather. If you have heart or respiratory problems, stay inside as much as possible during a cold snap.
- Contact your GP about the flu jab. It is free of charge to everyone aged 65, or over, and those in 'at risk' groups. 'At risk' includes those who have serious respiratory conditions, such as asthma, as well as diabetes, a serious heart, liver or kidney condition, or a lowered immunity due to a health condition, or medical treatment.
- Watch what you eat. A healthy diet will reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity and some cancers. Hot drinks will give you warmth and energy.
- Keep active. Try to move around at least once an hour, and avoid sitting down for long periods of time. Light regular activity will help to keep you warm.
- Stop smoking. You're never too old to quit and the health benefits of not smoking are numerous including improved circulation and reduced respiratory problems, which will help minimise health problems during cold weather. For information and advice, call the NHS Stop Smoking Helpline on 0800 022 4 332 or see Further information, below.
- Look out for friends and neighbours. If you have friends or neighbours who are elderly, check that they are safe and well throughout the winter months. Make sure they are warm enough, especially at night, and have stocks of food and medicines so they do not need to go out during very cold weather.
Financial help
The Department of Health's annual Keep Warm Keep Well campaign aims to reduce the number of cold-related illnesses and deaths each winter. Older people, disabled people, families on low incomes, and those with long-term health conditions, such as heart, lung or kidney disease, are particularly at risk from the effects of cold weather.
The Keep Warm Keep Well campaign provides advice about getting financial help in winter, and includes the Warm Front Scheme, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.
The Warm Front Scheme offers grants for heating and insulation improvements up to £2,700, or £4,000 if you need oil central heating. You may qualify if you own your home, rent it from a private landlord, receive disability-related, or income-related benefits, and:
- you are disabled,
- you have a child under the age of 16,
- you are pregnant and have a maternity certificate MATB1, or
- you are 60 years of age, or over.
To find out if you qualify, you can call a Warm Front advisor free on 0800 072 9006. You can also apply online, see the Further information section.
Winter fuel payments (08459 15 15 15) are available if you are aged 60, or over, on or before 23 September 2007 and you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
Cold weather payments may be available to you if you get Pension Credit, Income Support or Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance, and you have a pension, or disability premium, or a child who is disabled, or under the age of five.
Further information:
