For Day 1 of the LRF’s “Be Winter Ready'’ campaign it is vital to point out that the Government provides extensive advice for everyone on how to stay warm and well during winter on its website here: Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather - GOV.UK

Anyone can become unwell if they get too cold. It is important to follow this guidance, which is also presented in easy read and sign language format, so that you are prepared for cold weather and can take action to keep yourself warm. There are also actions you can take to keep healthy during the cold weather.

Some people are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell because of exposure to cold. There are dedicated guidance documents for those working with people in these groups.

About cold weather and health

Whilst exposure to cold weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly at risk. These include:

• older people (aged 65 years and over)

• people with long-term health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or a mental health condition

• pregnant women

• young children (particularly those aged 5 and under)

• people with learning disabilities

• people at risk of falls

• people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves

• people who are housebound or have low mobility

• people living in deprived circumstances

There are many reasons for the increased risk of ill-health in cold weather. These include:

• poor quality housing and particularly cold homes

• higher frequency of circulating infectious diseases, such as flu and norovirus during the winter months

• physical hazards such as snow and ice.

During cold weather, people may also use malfunctioning or inappropriate appliances to heat their homes. This can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

When a house is damp as well as cold, mould is more likely to occur. This can increase the risk of illness, especially from asthma.

Keep your home warm

You should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. Low indoor temperatures can have a serious impact on your health, especially if you have medical conditions or are older.

Simple changes can help to keep you and your home warm. These include:

• try to heat rooms you spend a lot of time in, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C

• try to reduce draughts; you can fit draft excluders around doors cheaply

• keep your bedroom windows closed at night

• wear several layers of thinner clothing; this could keep you warmer than one thicker layer

Seek financial support

People in financial difficulty may find it more difficult to heat their homes sufficiently. This increases the risk of becoming unwell due to cold exposure. There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to help you make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help manage energy bills. There are also support measures in place to help with the cost of living, especially for those on low incomes. For example, if you claim certain benefits or tax credits, you may be eligible for an extra payment from the government to help with the cost of living. The government has published energy saving tips to help save money on bills.

Prepare your home

Longer term improvements to your house can greatly improve your comfort but can be expensive. You can check your energy performance certificate (EPC) if available for potential improvements and consider speaking to a professional depending on the kinds of changes that are suggested. Depending on what you can afford, options may include:

• regular servicing of your heating appliances can keep them working efficiently and for longer, saving you money

• insulation for water pipes to prevent them from freezing in cold weather

• loft insulation

• internal, cavity or external wall insulation

• double (or triple) window glazing

Find out more about eligibility for support with energy efficiency improvements through ‘Help to Heat’. If you need financial or energy efficiency support, you can contact your local authority to see what support is available in your area.

The Energy Saving Trust has tips on things you can do, including advice on more efficient ways to heat your home and improving insulation.

If you have mould or damp at home, find out what is causing mould or damp and how to address it. New guidance outlines what private and social rented landlords should do to respond to damp and mould and take preventative action.

It is important to make sure that household appliances are safe and working properly as demands on them during the winter are usually greater. To do this you can:

• have your heating and cooking appliances checked by a Gas Safe® registered engineer to make sure they are working safely

• have a carbon monoxide alarm (EN 50291 compliant) fitted

• have things like boiler flues and chimneys checked for blockages and cleared if necessary

• contact your water and power suppliers to see if you can be on the Priority Services Register, a free support service that helps people in vulnerable situations

Further information

For more advice on these support measures or about how to stay warm and well during cold weather, further information can be found on:

• the Met Office websites on how to get your home and property winter ready and keeping your home warm this winter

• GOV.UK website on help for households

• Age UK’s website or call 0800 169 6565 and quote ‘WINTER’

• the NHS England website how to stay well in winter