Keep Warm

21/12/2011

KEEP WARM

1 Heat your home well. By setting your heating to the right temperature, 21c during the day and 18c at night, you can keep your home warm and your bills as low as possible.

2 Get financial support. There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills. It’s worthwhile claiming all the benefi ts you are entitled to.

3 Eat well. Food is a vital source of energy, which helps to keep your body warm. Try to make sure that you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day.

4 Get a flu jab. You can get a free jab from your GP to protect against seasonal fl u if you are over 65, have a long-term health condition or are pregnant.

5 Look after yourself. Keeping active is important for your health. But if you do go out in cold weather it is important that you wear extra clothes to make sure that you wrapped up warmly. During very cold and icy weather conditions it is safer for older people, very young children and anyone with health problems to avoid going out.

6 Look after your family and neighbours. If you have an older relative or neighbour look out for them during winter to ensure that they are well, warm and able to have hot meals and drinks.

Further information about how to heat your home can be found on the home heat helpline website at www.homeheathelpline.org.uk or call 0800 33 66 99

For information about services call NHS Cambridgeshire’s Patient Advice & Liaison Service on 01223 725588