Tips for keeping warm (UK)

Tips for keeping warm:

1. Have at least one hot meal a day, and drink hot drinks regularly

2. Keep moving - a little exercise will help keep you well even it it's indoors

3. Wrap up warmly whenever you go outside and always dress warmly for bed

4. Wearing several layers of clothing keeps you warmer than one thick layer

5. Keeping warm at home is vital. Your home should be heated to a temperature of 21°C or 70°F.

6. Close bedroom windows at night to keep the warmth in and the cold air out

7. Reduce your heating bills by improving the insulation of your home - Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on 0800 512012 gives:

• free and independent advice on energy efficiency,
• advice on how to claim improvement grants,
• a free "do it yourself" home energy check to help cut fuel bills

8. If your electric blanket is over 10 years old get a new one. Never have a hot water bottle if you also use an electric blanket

9. Do you have Gas? Register with your Gas Supplier as customers over pensionable age can ask for a free safety check each year

10. The Winter Fuel Payment Helpline is on:

08459 15 15 15

(0845 601 5613 for textphone users). Lines are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Charges are the same as for local calls.

Getting too cold can result in Hypethermia. Symptoms of hypothermia take effect in three stages. The first stage - mild hypothermia - is characterised by:

• Bouts of shivering;
• Grogginess and muddled thinking.

Indicators of moderate hypothermia are:

• Violent shivering or shivering which suddenly stops;
• Inability to think and pay attention;
• Slow, shallow breathing;
• Slow, weak pulse.

Severe hypothermia has set in when:

• Shivering stops;
• The person loses consciousness;
• There is little or no breathing;
• Pulse is weak, irregular or non-existent.

Further tips:

• Eat and drink hot food and beverages regularly. They provide both warmth and energy at relatively little cost.
• Wear the most appropriate clothes this winter. Wear several thin layers rather than just one thick one - and make sure you always put on an extra layer when you venture outside.
• Wrap up warm in bed. Just because you're in bed does not mean you don't have to worry about what you are wearing. Wear warm bed garments and if you can invest in a duvet with a higher tog rating.
• Make sure your home is the right temperature. Somewhere between 21C and 24C (70-75F) is just right. Any lower and you'll be too cold but any higher and you'll be wasting money.
• Insulation in your home can really help to keep the heat in as well as keeping costs down. Hang thick curtains up over doors and windows and speak to consider getting your lofts and cavities insulated or if you can afford it get doubled glazing installed.
• Close your windows. It may sound obvious but a lot of people like to have a bit of fresh air in their home but it lets cold air in, hot air out and makes the heating work even harder to try and warm your home - driving up costs.
• Shut the doors to any rooms that you don't use. The closed door makes that room another barrier between you and the cold weather outside. It also stops air from circulating as much, which reduces heat loss.
• Keep moving as much as possible. Moving and doing light exercise - even just the vacuuming - gets the blood pumping and warms the body up.
• Cuddle up to a loved one or a pet. People and animals such as dogs and cats are warm-blooded mammals so why not use each other's heat to keep the cold at bay?
• Use a hot water bottle. It doesn't have to be just for bed time. Hot water bottles are a quick, easy and cheap way of warming yourself up.
• After you've cooked your dinner, leave the oven door open to let heat escape and help warm up your home.
• Take a hot shower or bath and use oil or lotion on your skin when you get out, which can be like an extra layer of clothing.
• Ask your energy provider if they have any special rates for pensioners and check to see if you qualify for benefits to help pay for the extra heating. For a benefits check over the phone, call SeniorLine on 0808 800 6565 and for Pension Credit, contact The Pension Service on 0800 99 1234.

 

Personally not bad as the area I live in has very little snow - in fact none right now but I know the South has had bucket loads poor things

Mind you, the cold weather is supposed to kill off all the bugs and germs so there's an up side to it.

Please post any tips or phone lines from your side of the pond - I looked but couldn't find any.


Lynne

 

Very good advice - I know someone that almost set their settee on fire.