Keep Warm Keep Well, says NHS Northants

The vulnerable and elderly are being warned to keep warm and well this winter.
NHS Northamptonshire has launched its annual campaign to limit the illness, injuries and deaths linked to cold weather conditions.
The current freezing conditions can have significant effects on everyday life, especially for the people who are most vulnerable – the elderly and those with a long term condition or disability.
Wintry weather and cold homes can have a significant impact on people’s health and can lead to serious problems.

Professor Stephen Horsley, director of Public Health at NHS Northamptonshire said: “Keeping warm is one of the best ways to stay healthy and well this winter. Many people don’t realise that the cold weather can make them unwell or make their existing health conditions worse.

“For example people with heart problems or respiratory conditions like asthma may experience worsening symptoms during a cold snap.

“There are lots of easy steps you can take to ensure you stay healthy when temperatures drop.

"Keep your home warm, wear lots of layers and take extra care on icy pavements and roads.

"You can help elderly relatives and neighbours by checking on them to make sure they’re OK and are keeping themselves warm and well.”

The Keep Warm Keep Well campaign advises people to:

• Keep warm – heat your home well and keep drafts out by closing curtains and doors. If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before you go to sleep
• Eat well – food keeps you warm and you should aim to have at least one hot meal a day and hot drinks regularly through the day. A healthy diet will help fight off germs and regular meals will keep your energy levels up
• Keep well – get a flu jab. People can get a free jab from their GP to protect against seasonal flu if they are over 65, have a long-term health condition or are pregnant
• Keep moving – staying active warms you up. However make sure you take extra care with icy pavements and roads - if you go out wear boots or shoes with good grip on the soles. The Met Office advises putting grit or cat litter on paths and driveways to lessen the risk of slipping
• Wrap up well before you go outside – wear lots of thin layers and a hat.

Useful contacts

Anyone worried about a relative or an elderly neighbour, should contact their local council or ring the Age UK helpline on 0800 169 8787.

Find out how to “Choose Well” and access the right treatment for you here.

There is also lots more advice at NHS Choices and NHS East Midlands

The Home Heat Helpline is a free helpline that gives advice on:

      • keeping warm
      • using fuel well
      • ways of paying for fuel more cheaply
      • grants to help you pay for insulation
People can call free on 0800 33 66 99 (textphone 0800 027 2122), or visit http://www.homeheathelpline.org/