Cheshire East residents urged to stay warm to stay well this winter

Cheshire East Council and its partners are offering a range of advice and support to residents on how to keep warm, well and safe this winter.

Staying warm can help to prevent you from becoming ill, especially if you are already vulnerable due to your age, poor health, or a disability.

That is why it is important to ensure you keep up to date with the weather and the forecasted temperatures, as well as keep your home at the correct temperature and wear enough clothes to stay warm.

Due to current high energy prices, it is expensive to heat all the rooms you use at home, therefore if you can it's advisable to try and heat your living room during the day and your bedroom just before you go to sleep. If it is very cold, set your heating to come on earlier and turn it off later rather than turning the thermostat up.

Dr Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: "If you have reduced mobility, are aged 65 or over, or have a health condition such as heart or lung disease, the advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is that you should heat your home to at least 18C. It is a good idea to keep your living room at 21C and your bedroom at 18C temperature all night if you can.

"As we get older it takes longer to warm up because it's harder for our bodies to detect how cold we are, and this can be bad for our health. For older people, the longer the exposure to the cold, the higher the risk of heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia, depression, worsening arthritis and increased accidents at home (associated with loss of strength and dexterity in the hands).

"Eating regularly helps keep you warm so try to have at least one hot meal a day along with regular hot drinks. Try to keep moving when you are indoors, try not to sit still for more than an hour or so. Break up your time spent being inactive by walking around your home or standing up from your chair when you are on the phone."

Councillor Jill Rhodes, chair of Cheshire East Council's adults and health committee, said: "If you are not sure how your heating controls work, ask a friend, family member or neighbour for help. To keep warm while you are in bed, you can also use a hot water bottle or electric blanket – but not at the same time.

"Other advice includes wearing lots of thin layers – clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres are particularly good and help to maintain body heat – and wearing shoes with a good grip to help prevent slips and falls when outside."

It is also important to think about how you can cut down on your energy costs. Here are some easy, quick fixes:

● Fitting cavity wall insulation and loft insulation can help to reduce your heating bill each year;

● Get draught excluders for external doors, windows, and letterboxes. It is also worth tackling gaps between skirting boards and floorboards;

● Double-glazing keeps the heat in and also reduces noise and condensation; and

● Close your curtains as soon as it starts to get dark, to lock in the heat.

The council's care and repair service provide support to older, disabled and vulnerable people to improve their homes. The service includes accessing urgent works grants for home repairs, such as heating and insulation, and helping to organise the works. For more information, phone 0300 123 5017 (select option four).

To keep up to date with the weather, tune in to the Met Office's weather forecasts on radio and TV. Severe weather warnings are also issued on the Met Office website, through their Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/metoffice) or you can ring their 24-hour weather desk on 0370 900 0100.

For help and advice on heating your home efficiently and effectively, visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/helpwithheating.

For further winter wellbeing advice take at look at the council's essential guide to wellbeing booklet, this can be viewed online or downloaded by visiting Winter Wellbeing Guide (cheshireeast.gov.uk) Further info can be found by visiting: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell and scroll down to the winter wellbeing section. Advice can also be found on the council's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cheshireeastcouncil and on Twitter: @CheshireEast

Residents can help friends and neighbours, who do not have internet access, by downloading and printing off information from the website and giving it to them.