Your helpful guide
to keeping warm,
well and safe
this winter
1
About this booklet
Winter can be a difficult time for everyone, however as the
temperature drops and conditions worsen the risks become more
significant for people aged over 65.
Every year sees 25,000 emergency hospital admissions across Dorset
during the winter months, with 24,000 unnecessary deaths nationally.
Cold weather sees an increase in the risk of heart attack, stroke, lung
illnesses, flu and other conditions. Accidents also increase as people
slip and fall in the snow or ice risking serious injury.
Your local NHS is here to help you. This booklet has been produced
with a number of local partners as a guide to help you afford winter,
and keep warm, well and safe during the coming months along with
some simple practical advice.
Thanks to the following organisations for assistance in putting this
booklet together:
Age UK
Bournemouth Borough Council
Borough of Poole
Dorset Energy Advice Centre
Dorset County Council
Dorset Fire and Rescue
Dorset Police
Health Protection Agency
Poole Council for Voluntary Services
The Energy Saving Trust
If you require this booklet in another format or need further copies
please let us know by contacting the Patient Advice and Liaison Service
on 01202 541585 or by emailing [email protected]
2
Contents
Affording winter
What help is available to me?
Energy and cost saving tips
Dispelling myths about insulation
Top tips
3
5
6
8
9
Keeping warm
Keep warm indoors
Keep warm outdoors
Keep active
Top tips
10
11
12
12
13
Keeping well
Get protected against flu
Norovirus or winter vomiting bug
Healthy eating
Stocking up
Top tips
14
15
15
16
16
17
Keeping safe
Slips and trips
Winter driving
Be informed
Snow and ice
After snowfall
Get your heating checked
Top tips
18
19
19
20
20
20
21
22
Useful contacts
23
3
Affording winter
If you are worried about the cost of heating your home, it is
worth knowing that there are a number of schemes which
can help. In this section we will give you details of who you
can contact, along with some top tips for keeping costs
down.
4
What help is available to me?
CERT Priority grants
Under this scheme if you receive various benefits and allowances you
may qualify to have cavity wall and loft insulation done for free (except
if your property is larger than average for its type). Contact your
energy supplier for more information.
Over 60’s council tax band scheme The following local authorities are currently offering this scheme:
• Bournemouth Borough Council
• Christchurch Borough Council
• Purbeck District Council
which provides free cavity wall and loft insulation up to the value of
£1000, to owner occupiers between 60 and 69 years of age living in
properties that fall into council tax bands A, B, C, and D. You do not need to be on benefits, however funding is limited. Warm Front grants
The Warm Front grant is the government scheme for insulation and
heating and is run by Carillion Energy Services. The scheme provides
insulation and heating measures, if you receive various benefits and
allowances, up to the value of £3,500 (£6,000 if oil fired heating is
required). The grant includes various insulation, draught proofing,
low energy bulbs, providing a heating source where no heating exists,
heating repairs and conversion of solid fuel open fires to a glass
fronted fire. If the cost of the work exceeds the grant then you may be able to
have the excess paid under a grant or loan by your local authority,
please contact the local authority direct to see if they have any funds
available. You can also contact Warm Front directly on 0300 123 1234. 5
Magic Boiler Scheme
This scheme is for anybody regardless of age or benefits, and aims
to offer boilers at discounted rates. Typically you could save between
£100 and £200 on the cost of a new boiler.
For more information on any grants mentioned above and
assistance available contact the Dorset Energy Advice Centre in
the first instance - 0800 975 0166 or visit www.deac.co.uk
Energy and cost saving tips
There are some simple ways you can reduce the amount you spend on
energy without putting yourself at risk.
Turn it down
You may have your central heating set higher than you need it. Each
day try turning your room thermostat down by one degree, carry on
until it feels a bit too cool and then turn it back up one degree. Every
degree that you turn your heating down could save you around £60 a
year on your heating bill.
Turn it off
Make sure you turn your lights, appliances and chargers off when
you’re not using them. Nearly all electrical and electronic appliances
can also safely be turned off at the plug without upsetting their
systems but check the instructions on any appliances you aren’t sure
about.
Careful in the kitchen You can save another £35 a year just by being careful how you use
your kitchen appliances.
• Set your washing machine to wash at 30°C
• Only use your tumble dryer when you can’t dry your clothes outside
• Don’t fill your kettle right up every time – just boil the amount of
water you need.
6
Shower power
If you’ve got a shower that takes hot water straight from your boiler or
hot water tank (rather than an electric shower) then you may be able
to get a water-efficient shower head fitted and cut your hot water use
without noticing any difference when you shower.
A shower head will cost around £27 but will save on water heating
and water bills if you have a water meter.
Don’t lag behind
If you have an uninsulated hot water cylinder, you could start saving
now by fitting a tank jacket. Also get any exposed hot pipework
around the cylinder and around the boiler insulated.
It’s easy to fit and the materials for the whole lot will only cost you
around £25, and you’ll save £55 a year.
Be a draught excluder
Unless your home is very new, you’re likely to be losing some heat through
draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, maybe up the
chimney and a whole host of other little holes around the house.
Depending on your house, draught-proofing materials could cost up to
£160 but you could save up to £90 a year, so they’ll pay for themselves
in less than two years.
Lighten your load
Have you changed all your light bulbs for low-energy ones? They come
in a variety of shapes, sizes and fittings. Look for the Energy Saving
Trust recommended logo to be assured of light quality and lifetime.
Turning the heating down at night
Turn down your thermostat before you go to bed or go out, so you’re
not wasting energy heating empty rooms. You can probably do this
quite early, maybe an hour before you go to bed, as it will take a while
for the heater and the room to cool down. If you are cold at night, put
on an extra layer of clothing or bedding but remember to stay safe if
using electric blankets.
7
Dispelling myths about insulation
Keeping in the heat you have already paid for can make a real
difference to the cost of heating. However there are some common
myths that could mean people put it off.
Insulation is expensive
For an average size house, loft insulation costs between £100 and
£350. Whilst this may seem a lot to pay out in one go there are grants
and help available and it can pay for itself in around two years.
It won’t save me enough money to make it worthwhile
Loft insulation has an expected life of around 40 years so could save
you thousands of pounds in the long run; it is also calculated that
cavity wall insulation saves between £100 and £350 a year in an
average house so pays for itself almost immediately.
I can’t have the work done on my property
If your loft is easy to access and has no damp or condensation
problems, it should be easy to insulate - a competent DIY-er or a
professional installer should be able to do this.
If you are unsure contact the Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) on
0800 975 0166. If you live in rented accommodation speak to your
landlord.
Need help with finding a trades person? Your local Age UK office
will hold a list of reputable companies you can contact and also
offer a service for doing odd jobs around the home.
Bournemouth - 01202 523300
Dorset - 01305 269444
Poole - 01202 666195
8
top
tips
• There is lots of help available to keep your
home warm, contact the Dorset Energy Advice
Centre in the first instance - 0800 975 0166
• Call your energy supplier to find out what
schemes they offer
• Try and keep your home heated to between
18°C and 21°C
• Turn electrical appliances off at the plug
overnight as you will waste electricity and
money
• Test electric blankets before use and replace
them if they look worn
• The Citizen’s Advice Bureau will be able to give
you advice on benefits, heating, grants and
debt
Bournemouth - 08444 111444
Poole - 01202 680838
Dorset - 0844 2451291
9
Keeping warm
It is important to keep warm both indoors and outdoors
as this can help you stay well during the cold weather. This
section will give you helpful advice and tips on how to avoid
the chills and therefore reduce your risk of health problems.
10
Keep warm indoors
Try and keep your home heated to between 18 and 21 degrees
Celsius. To help you monitor your home, free thermometer cards
are available through a variety of outlets across Dorset including
community hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacies and local voluntary
organisations. Make sure you keep warm by:
• Wearing several thin layers rather than one thick layer
• Covering up your head and neck by wearing a hat and scarf
• Wearing clothes made from wool, cotton or fleecy fabrics
• Drawing your curtains at dusk to stop the heat escaping and the
draughts coming in
• Closing windows and keeping internal doors closed when it’s cold
• Using a shawl or blanket to provide extra warmth if you need it
• Keeping your feet up, because air is cooler at ground level
• Wearing warm clothes in bed - when it’s really cold, wear thermal
underwear, bed socks and even a hat.
C
O
O
80
27
75
24 Babies may overheat
70
21 IDEAL living room temperature
65
18 COMFORTABLE house temperature
60
15 DISCOMFORT and risk of respiratory illness
55
12 strokes in vulnerable people
50
9
F
HOT - reduce heat but stay warm.
TOO COLD - increased risk of heart attack and
RISK OF HYPOTHERMIA - increased risk of heart
attack and strokes in vulnerable people
11
Keep warm outdoors
Try and limit the time you spend outside – it may seem like common
sense but the less time you spend outside in cold weather the better;
if conditions are severe it is best to avoid going out at all if possible. If
you do need to go out:
• Wrap up warm - gloves, hat and scarf make a real difference
• Try to wear lots of layers - this will help trap layers of warm air near
the body
• Keep moving - try not to stand around in the cold
• If it looks like rain make sure you have a waterproof coat - an
umbrella may keep the water off you, but won’t help keep you
warm.
Keep active
Cold weather can lead to ill health and depression, particularly in
people aged over 60. One way of staying healthy is to keep active.
Light exercise can help to keep you warm and improve your mood.
When indoors try to move around at least once an hour. You can
perform some simple exercises such as marching on the spot, mini
squats whilst holding on the back of a chair or repeating getting up
and sitting back down in your chair.
If you are able to venture out then Age UK run the ‘Fit as a Fiddle’
nationwide programme‚ supporting people aged over 50 with physical
activity‚ healthy eating and mental well-being. Call 0800 169 8787 for
more details.
Always speak to your GP before starting any exercise programme.
Your local leisure centre may run reduced cost or free activities,
contact your local council for details of your nearest centre
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top
tips
• Wear lots of layers and limit the time you
spend outdoors and remember to wrap up
warm when you go out
• Keep active. Move around at least once an
hour and don’t sit down for long periods of
time. Even light exercise will help keep you
warm
• Make sure your heating is working properly - if
in doubt get it checked out by a professional
• The recommended temperature for your main
living room is around 70°F/21°C, and the rest
of the house should be heated to at least
64°F/18°C
• Draw your curtains at dusk to help keep the
heat in
• Make sure that your heating isn’t obstructed
by curtains or furniture
13
Keeping well
There are many things you can do to keep well during the
winter - from making sure you get the flu jab to being
prepared and ensuring you have a well stocked cupboard and
healthy diet. Follow our advice to make sure you keep well.
14
Get protected against flu
Flu outbreaks often occur during the winter each year, which is why
the illness is sometimes referred to as seasonal flu.
Unlike a cold, the symptoms of flu come on very quickly and include a
fever and aching joints and muscles. Although flu can be unpleasant,
if you are otherwise healthy, the illness will usually clear up on its
own and you will recover within a week. To ease symptoms, over the
counter flu remedies can be used.
However, the effects of flu can be more severe in older people
and people with an underlying health condition (particularly chronic
heart or respiratory disease), or those with weakened immune systems.
Therefore, to protect against the potentially harmful effects of flu, you
should be vaccinated each year against flu. The flu vaccine changes
every year so it is important to make sure you get protected yearly.
Norovirus or the winter vomiting bug
Norovirus causes winter vomiting which affects 600,000 to one million
people every year. It can be a nasty experience for those affected but it
is normally a short-lived infection from which you can usually recover
within two to three days.
To limit spreading the virus to others:
• Stay at home until you are symptom free for 48 hours and drink
plenty of water to replace lost fluids. If your symptoms persist,
phone NHS Direct for advice on 0845 46 47
• Don’t handle or prepare food for other people
• Wash hands thoroughly and regularly at all times, but particularly
after toilet visits and before eating.
Your local pharmacy can offer you over the counter remedies for
coughs and colds - make sure you stock up your medicine cabinet
for winter
15
Healthy eating
During the winter it is important to keep a balanced diet and ensure
you eat healthily. Here are some top tips to help you eat well over the
winter:
• Try to include a good variety of foods, eating something from each
of the five food groups every day
• Eat regularly - eating little and often is best
• Have at least one hot meal a day
• Take hot drinks throughout the day - especially one before bedtime
• Drink plenty of fluid - aim for 6-8 cups per day of a variety of fluids
including tea, coffee, fruit juice, cordial and water.
Stocking up
Avoid putting yourself at risk by making sure you have enough food
in the house – this will mean you shouldn’t have to go shopping if the
weather takes a turn for the worse.
Prepare a winter store cupboard containing:
• Long-life or dried milk
• Tea/coffee/cocoa powder
• Tinned milk puddings
• Baked beans
• Tinned corned beef/ham
• Long-life pure fruit juice
• Tinned sardines/pilchards/tuna
• Instant mashed potato
• Lentils/pasta/rice
• Tinned fruit and vegetables
• Tinned/packet soups
• Breakfast cereals
• Crackers/plain biscuits
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top
tips
• Get the flu jab - ask your GP for details
• Avoid any unnecessary trips - get repeat
prescriptions in advance and make sure your food
cupboard is well stocked
• Eat a healthy balanced diet and have at least one
hot meal a day
• Avoid the risk of the vomiting bug with good
levels of hygiene
• Prevent the spread of flu - catch it, bin it, kill it
• Review your medicines - if you are on medication,
talk to your GP or pharmacist about reviewing
this to make sure it is still appropriate
• Keep yourself healthy - stop smoking, drink less
alcohol and more water, eat healthily and try to
keep active
• If you are struggling with money for food your
local Foodbank can provide you with a voucher
for 3 days worth of food. To find out more call:
Bournemouth - 01202 900979
Christchurch - 01202 487442
Poole - 01202 669566
17
Keeping safe
Along with a drop in temperature, the cold weather
brings many other factors such as ice and snow which can
sometimes bring an element of risk to even the simplest
task. In these conditions it is best to only go out when
absolutely necessary, but if you do have to there are steps
you can take to minimise your personal risk.
18
Slips and trips
Anyone can suffer from a fall, but the likelihood of this happening
increases as we get older. There are a few preventative measures you
can take to minimise falls:
• Take regular exercise to keep muscles strong and supple
• Wear slippers that have a good grip and that fasten and stay on
properly – make sure they aren’t loose or worn out
• On stairs and in bathrooms and toilets consider having grab rails
fitted
• Take care of your feet and avoid poorly fitting shoes
• Never allow flexes or wires to trail across the floor and avoid clutter
on the ground
• Replace worn rugs and carpets
• Minimise bending and climbing - keep items that are used a lot in reach
If you do fall don’t panic - you will probably feel a little shocked but try
to stay calm. If you are hurt and unable to get up try to summon help,
move to a soft surface and keep warm by trying to keep moving.
Always tell someone if you have had a fall and call your GP practice if
you are worried.
Winter driving
If you plan to drive, only travel when absolutely necessary and ensure
your vehicle is roadworthy for the conditions. Check tyres, windscreen
washers and wipers, lights, petrol and heater and make sure any snow
or ice is cleared from your windscreen and other windows before
setting off.
Always carry warm clothing, a blanket and a flask containing a
hot drink and drive with extreme caution - according to the road
conditions – even if the roads appear gritted.
If you do need help bear in mind that emergency vehicles may take
additional time to get to you. Allow for this wherever possible by
ensuring that you have a short-term contingency plan in case of severe
delay.
19
Be informed
In severe and wintry weather it’s even more important to plan your
journey. Just a few minutes checking before you set off can make all
the difference. Monitor the traffic and weather conditions and plan
journeys by listening to your local radio stations or by calling the
Highways Agency information line on 08457 50 40 30.
Snow and ice
When the weather is very cold and icy, it is best if you try to stay in so
you keep safe and warm. If you know there is snow and ice forecast,
make sure you plan ahead and rearrange non-urgent appointments.
Make sure you get repeat prescriptions so you don’t have to venture
out in bad weather.
Libraries have facilities you can use if you are unable to physically
get to the library during adverse weather conditions. Books can be
renewed by calling:
Bournemouth - 01202 454848
Dorset - 01305 224311
Poole - 01202 262424
If extreme bad weather means that libraries are closed, overdue
charges are waived for that day.
Don’t struggle to put out your rubbish bins - either ask a neighbour
to help or wait until conditions improve
After snowfall
Despite what you may have heard you can clear snow and ice from
pavements yourself; and it’s unlikely that you’ll be sued or held
responsible if someone is injured on a path or pavement you’ve
cleared.
If you do, there are some tips to make it easier:
• Do so early in the day - it’s easier to move fresh, loose snow
20
• Don’t use water - it might refreeze and turn to black ice
• Use salt if possible - it will melt the ice or snow and stop it from
refreezing overnight
• You can use ash if you don’t have enough salt - it will provide grip
underfoot
• Take it easy - cold air makes it harder to work and breathe, which
adds some extra strain on the body
• Even if the snow is starting to thaw take it easy as there could be
layers of ice under the snow itself
• If possible don’t go out unless it is essential.
Check the weather conditions and live traffic information on your local
radio station. You can also call the Met Office Weather Desk number
0870 900 0100 which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Get your heating checked
Have all gas, solid fuel and oil burning appliances (i.e. boilers, heaters
and cookers) serviced by an appropriately registered engineer.
Malfunctioning appliances can release carbon monoxide - a gas which
at high levels will kill and at low levels can cause headaches, dizziness,
chest pains, nausea and vomiting. There are also indicators that
suggest your appliance might have a fault, such as black sooty marks
on the appliance itself and sooty marks on the walls or surrounding
area.
Make sure flues and chimneys are swept and checked for blockages
and that there is adequate ventilation in rooms to allow appliances to
work properly.
You should also fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm which is
EN50291 compliant, but fitting an alarm should not replace regular
maintenance of appliances.
21
top
tips
• In severe weather don’t go out unless it is
necessary - bins and library books can wait until
the weather improves
• Check local radio or call the Met Office Weather
Desk on 0870 900 0100 for up to date forecasts
• Do any vital jobs in advance of cold weather i.e.
collect repeat prescriptions or medication
• If you are driving, check the road conditions and
travel news before you set off
• If you do have to go out, wear appropriate
clothing and sensible footwear
• Get extra support - if you think you need extra
help, think about personal alarm pendants so
you can get support when you need it at home
• Dorset Fire and Rescue Service offer a FREE
home safety check - for more information call
01305 252600
22
$
Useful contacts to cut out and keep
Organisation
Telephone
Website
Borough of Poole
Customer Services
Gateway to all council
services
Borough of Poole Social
Services Helpdesk
Gateway to all council
social services
Bournemouth
Borough Council
Gateway to all council
services
Bournemouth Care Direct
Gateway to all council
social services
01202 633633
Out of hours:
0800 506050
www.boroughofpoole.com
01202 633902
Out of hours:
01202 657279
www.boroughofpoole.com/
health-and-social-care/
01202 451451
Out of hours:
01202 451145
www.bournemouth.gov.uk
01202 454979
Out of hours:
01202 657279
www.bournemouth.gov.uk/
SocialCareHealth
01305 221000
Dorset County Council
Gateway to all council
services
01305 221016
Dorset Direct
Gateway to all council
social services
01305 224841
Dorset Partnership for
Older People Programme
Signpost/support service
to people over the age of
50 living in Dorset
www.dorsetforyou.com
Citizens Advice Bureau
Bournemouth
Poole
Dorset
Out of hours Medical
Service - when your GP
surgery is closed
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
08444 111444
01202 680838
0844 2451291
0845 600 1013
23
Organisation
Telephone
Website
Dorset Energy
Advice Centre
Free advice on saving
energy and grants
0800 975 0166
www.deac.co.uk
Age UK
Bournemouth
Poole
Dorchester
Credit Union
Helping people across
Dorset to save regularly
and borrow in times of
need
Food banks
Bournemouth
Poole
Christchurch
01202 523300
01202 666195
01305 269444
www.ageuk.org.uk
First Dorset
Credit Union
01305 268444
www.firstdorsetcreditunion.co.uk
Coastal
Credit Union
01202 566878
www.coastalcreditunion.co.uk
01202 900979
01202 669566
01202 487442
Pension Service
Benefit/financial
information
0845 6060265
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Help & Care
Services, support and
information for older
people and carers
0300 111 3303
www.helpandcare.org.uk
Healthpoint
01202 675377
Health information service
www.boroughofpoole.com/
healthpoint
Dorset Police
To contact Safer
Neighbourhood Teams
dial 101
non-emergency
number
www.dorset.police.uk
Dorset Fire & Rescue
Free home safety checks
01305 252600
www.dorsetfire.co.uk
© Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group 2012
www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk