With winter in full swing, it is important more than ever for you to stay warm, both at home and when you are out and about.
Low temperatures increase the risk of getting the flu and other respiratory problems, as well as increasing blood pressure. As you get older, your blood pressure takes longer to return to normal after being out in the cold, which increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Keeping your home warm
The colder your home is, the higher the risk to your health, so we have looked at some suggestions for how to stay safe at home this winter:
- Keep your main living area at around 21°C and the rest of your home heated to at least 18°C. Check your thermostat or use a room thermometer to track the temperature, but if you feel cold, turn up the heat regardless.
- Learn how the timer and thermostat on your heating system works. If you have individual thermostats on your radiators, make sure they are set at the correct temperature in the rooms where you spend the most time.
- Keep your bedroom window shut at night when the weather is cold. The coldest time of the day is just before dawn, and breathing in cold air raises the risk of chest infections.
- Don’t block up air vents, as fires and heaters require ventilation. Put guards on open fires and be sure not to hang washing too close to the fire.
- Test your carbon monoxide alarms, and if you don’t have any alarms, you will need to get one fitted in each room that has a gas appliance. There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if your air vents become blocked, so an alarm is a must.
- Close your curtains at night and fit thermal linings if you can, as this will help to keep the heat in.
- If you require advice on any financial support you may be eligible for, you can contact your local Age UK. If you are having difficulty paying your heating bills, for example, Charis Grants can direct you to grants to help with utility debts.
Keeping warm inside and out
Even if it isn’t a severe winter, the colder weather can make you more vulnerable to certain illnesses. You are at an increased risk of suffering a stroke, heart attack or even hypothermia if you are exposed to a cold environment for a long time, or even extreme cold for a short time.
- If you are venturing outside on your Breeze S4, it is important that you wrap up warm. Several thin layers of clothing will keep you much warmer than one thick layer, as they trap warm air. Clothes made from fleecy synthetic fibres – such as polyester – or wool are a better choice than cotton. You may also want to wear thermal underwear, warm tights and socks.
- Keep your feet warm by choosing shoes with a non-slip sole and warm lining, or wearing thermal socks.
- Make sure you keep your face and hands warm. As well as wearing gloves and a hat, wrap a scarf around your face when you go out in the cold weather, even if it is only for a short time.
- If you are sitting down, having a blanket or shawl will provide a lot of warmth. You should also try and keep your feet up, as the air is much cooler at ground level.
- Before you go to bed, use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket to warm up the bed, but never use them together as this could be dangerous. If you do have an electric blanket, check whether it can be kept on all night or if it’s only designed to warm the bed before you get in.
- When in bed, wear warm clothes. When it is very cold, wear thermal underwear, socks and even a hat, as a lot of heat is lost through your head.
- Be sure to check local weather forecasts and news for advice when a cold snap is predicted.
