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Look out for the Elderly
Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch members can act as a vital lifeline to assist with the welfare of some of our elderly and vulnerable residents during these persistent cold weather conditions. Please pass this information on to your members.
In this continuing cold weather, we may be need to be more vigilant and aware of our neighbours who cannot get out and about. A friendly knock at the door or offer of asssistance could help to reassure some of your neighbours who you would not normally consider to be vulnerable.
NHWN advice would be to check up on neighbours, especially elderly and disabled people, particularly those with serious illnesses, who are more vulnerable to cold weather.
If you have elderly or disabled friends, relatives or neighbours, make sure you check to see that they are OK. Below are some simple tips you could pass on to help keep your neighbours safe.
Health advice and tips for coping with wintry weather
Keep Warm Keep Well Opens new window
With temperatures so low, to keep safe and warm the Department of Health recommends you:
- keep curtains drawn and doors closed to block out draughts
- have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal to keep your energy levels up
- wear several light layers of warm clothes (rather than one chunky layer)
- keep as active as possible
- wrap up warm if you do need to go outside
You should also keep your home at the recommended temperature of 18 to 21 degrees Celsius (64 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit).
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 bed. Follow the links below for more advice about keeping warm and healthy during cold weather.
Very cold weather advice from NHS Choices Opens new window
Download further information using the links below:
Download a guide for people over 60 (PDF, 199K)
Download a guide for families (PDF, 188K)
Download a guide for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions (PDF, 196K)