How to stay safe in cold weather
To help you stay safe in cold weather, please follow our advice for keeping warm and well in your home.
During the day:
- Set your heating thermostat to around 21°C (70°F) and heat all the rooms you use in the day
- If you cannot heat all your rooms, make sure you keep your living room warm and heat your bedroom before going to bed
- Set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and go off when you go to bed
At night:
- Try to keep the tempereature in your bedroom above 18°C (65°F)
- If you use a fire or heater in your bedroom, open the window or door a little for ventilation
- Use an electric blanket or hot water bottle to help you keep warm, but never use them together as you could electrocute yourself
- Stay warm in bed with bed socks, thermal underwear and a nightcap or headscarf
- Keep your curtains closed, as this helps trap a layer of warm air in the room
In general:
- Use draught excluders around doors and windows, but do not block any air vents
- Have plenty of hot drinks and food as this will give you energy and help you feel warm
- Wear several thin layers rather than one thick one
- Put on a coat, hat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes or boots whenever you go outside
Hypothermia
What to look out for:
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- No longer feeling cold even though the room is very cold
- Very cold skin in areas that are normally covered (stomach and under the armpits)
If someone is suffering from hypothermia:
- Act quickly
- Gradually turn up the heating
- Cover them with light blankets to warm them up
- Give them a warm drink
- Get medical help
For more information visit the Warm and Well website.
