Preparing for Winter
The list below provides you with additional things that you
should consider to prepare for winter:
- Ensure your heating system is regularly serviced and chimneys
are swept
- Maintain adequate ventilation for gas heaters, coal or wood
burning stoves
- Financial assistance schemes are available which can help with
heating costs and home insulation. Check if you may be
eligible.
- Check stopcocks are working properly
- Service any electric blankets at least every three years
- Check smoke/fire alarms are working and replace any low
batteries
- Keep a store of salt and sand to hand to mix before spreading
on icy paths and steps
- Have appropriate foot wear to hand e.g. warm boots with good
grip on soles
- Remember several layers of clothing will be warmer than one
thick layer as they will trap layers of warm air. Keeping active
generates heat. Hot meals and drinks will all help to keep you
warm
- Ensure you have adequate cold and flu remedies at home. Your
local pharmacist will be able to advise you on managing minor
illnesses. Follow basic hygiene measures to avoid spreading germs
to others
- Ensure you take up your GP’s invitation for an annual Flu
jab
- Order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time
- Keep your kitchen stocked with basic, longlife food items
- Tune in to local news and weather reports or check the Met
Office website (www.metoffice.gov.uk) on a daily
basis for the latest weather advisories, warnings, and
forecasts
- When severe weather is predicted/experienced consider whether
any of the journeys you are considering are essential. Monitor the
traffic and weather conditions and plan your journeys. Useful
contacts- www.help2travel.co.uk/mattisse/index.htm or
www.highways.gov.uk or
Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
- If travelling by car ensure you carry out a check of your
vehicle before setting out, carry a severe weather emergency kit in
your vehicle (an ice scraper and de-icer, torch, warm clothes,
blanket, boots, first-aid kit, battery jump leads, a spade if it’s
likely to snow, food and drink)
- Check on any elderly family, friends or neighbours to make sure
they are safe and warm
- Age UK has also produced the ‘Winter Wrapped Up’ advice guide
to keeping well, warm and in touch with other people. For more
information on the above and other ideas and advice please see
contact details below.