Cold Weather "Help a friend"

7.19.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 1st Feb 2008

In the current cold weather we would like to ask anyone with elderly, or less-abled, neighbours, friends or relatives in Rugby to bring the following to their attention. Please think about just 'stopping by' to make sure that they are fit and well prepared for the cold weather.

We reproduce here some very useful advice reproduced with kind permission from Rugby Age Concern

Keep Warm, Keep Well

During the cold winter months older people are particularly vulnerable to serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia. Last year over 24,000 people died as a result of cold related issues. This means it is essential to keep warm in winter.

There are a number of things you can do to keep you and your home warmer this winter.

Dress appropriately

• Wear thin layers of clothes rather than one thick layer

• Choose clothes made with wool, cotton, or fleecy synthetic materials

Stay active

• Don't stay sitting still for long periods

• Spread chores through the day and alternate between rest and activity.

• Exercise without taking risks in wet or icy weather

• Get a flu jab

Eat Well

• Eat at least one hot meal a day

• Sip hot drinks regularly throughout the day and before bedtime

• Keep a flask of hot drink by your bed in case you should you wake up feeling cold

Prepare your home

• Stock up on provisions in case it is too cold to go to the shops

• Seal gaps around windows and doors

• Insulate the loft to reduce heat loss

• Check your heating system is working and serviced once a year

• If you are using an electric blanket make sure you have it checked by a safety expert

Financial support

• Warm Front Grants - Tel. 0800 072 0151

• Cold Weather Payments-made automatically

• Winter Fuel Payments - Tel. 08459 15 15 15

• Disability Benefits / Pension Credit - 0800 88 22 00

For further information contact our (Age Concern) Information & Advice Service on 01788 552542 or pick up

The Department of Health's Keep Warm Keep Well booklet from the Claremont.

Useful Tel. No's:

NHS Direct - 0845 46 47

Warwickshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - 0800 512012

Claremont, 43 Clifton Rd, Rugby CV21 3QE

Telephone: 01788 552540

Email: info.ageconcernrugbybtconnect.com

Charity No. 1090007

Related Link:

Age Concern Fight the Freeze Website