Six tips for staying safe and warm in cold weather

As the UK experiences its latest cold snap, with temperatures dropping well below freezing in some areas, here are some top tips to help you stay safe and warm this winter.

Living in a cold environment can have a negative impact on your health, so try to keep your home as warm and comfortable as possible this winter. Try to maintain indoor temperatures of at least 18°C, especially in the rooms you use most. Some actions you can take include:

• Dress warmly in layers, and if you’re heading out, wear sturdy shoes with good grips to prevent falls on ice
• Hot drinks and nourishing meals not only bring comfort but also help regulate your body temperature. A bowl of soup, or a cup of tea can make all the difference
• Test your boiler and radiators, and arrange for a service if needed
• Use draft excluders on your doors and windows to keep the draft out and heat in
• Hang heavy curtains or thermal blinds to help conserve your heat
• Close off unused rooms to save on heating costs and energy
• Heat safely - if using heaters or electric blankets, ensure they meet safety standards. Keep heaters away from flammable materials and turn them off when leaving the room. Never use gas stoves or ovens to heat your home.

Ice, snow and flooding can pose serious risks for travellers so if you’re looking to travel, make sure you check for any alerts from the MET Office first and follow its guidance. When it’s safe to travel, here are some of the ways you can stay travel safe in winter:

• If you have a car, make sure it’s stocked up with anti-freeze and that you check the tyre tread levels
• Carry a winter emergency kit: de-icer, scraper, blanket, torch, and spare battery
• Travel in Daylight: If you must go out, try to travel during daylight hours when visibility is better, and roads are more likely to be clear.

Very severe weather can disrupt your travel plans and may even make it difficult for you to leave your home. Take the time now to stock up on food and essentials so that you’re prepared for whatever the UK weather has in store:

• Ensure you have enough food to last in case of severe weather or if you can’t get out. Stock up on tinned goods, dried fruits, and frozen meals that won’t perish
• Make sure you have enough medicine, including prescriptions and over-the-counter items in case you’re unable to leave your home for these due to severe weather
• Keep essentials like a torch, batteries, and a power bank for your phone in case of power outages.

Social isolation can be even more pronounced in severe weather when people are unable to leave their homes. If you can, consider helping others like elderly neighbours and relatives who may not be able to support themselves. If you are feeling isolated and can safely leave your home, community spaces can provide valuable warmth and connection:

• If elderly or vulnerable neighbours don’t have enough heating, offer to take them to a warm space or provide any assistance they may need
• Local "warm hubs" or community spaces run by local councils and charities can help you and others to stay warm and meet others. You can find a Warm Welcome Space near you (opens in a new tab).
• Even if you’re staying indoors, stay in touch with family or friends, especially those who may live alone or are more vulnerable.

Heating your home can be very costly at this time of year, but you may be eligible for financial support from the Government. Here are some of the ways you can find out about the support you may be entitled to:

• Pension Credit Calculator (opens in a new tab): If you're of pension age, use the Pension Credit Calculator on GOV.UK. You’ll need information about your income, savings, and investments. It will estimate if you qualify and how much you could receive
• Benefits Calculator: Tools like Turn2Us (opens in a new tab) or EntitledTo (opens in a new tab) can help you identify benefits you may qualify for, including winter-related support
• Winter Fuel Payment: Automatically provided to most eligible pensioners. If you're not sure, visit the government website here (opens in a new tab)
• Cold Weather Payment: If you receive certain benefits, you might get an extra payment during long cold spells. Payments are automatic, but you can check your eligibility on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

Staying informed during cold snaps can help you take steps to stay safe and warm. Here some of the ways you can stay informed:

• Keep an eye on weather warnings from reliable sources like the Met Office and BBC Weather. You can sign up for the Met Office’s weather alerts (opens in a new tab).
• The NHS provides advice on staying healthy during cold weather, including tips on how to avoid illnesses such as hypothermia, and updates on any public health warnings. Visit the NHS website or follow them on social media for important health advice during cold spells
• Visit your local council’s website or contact them directly to find out what support they can offer, such as community spaces, emergency heating support, and advice and grants for home insulation or energy efficiency improvements
• Local TV and radio will often provide weather updates and safety tips for cold snaps, including any local road closures and conditions
• Check out your local charities. Many will be offering specialist support for those affected by adverse weather conditions.

By following these tips you can reduce some of the risks associated with severe weather and keep you and your loved ones warm and safe this winter.