The NHS states “Cold homes have a significant impact on people’s health. One of the best ways of keeping yourself well during the winter is to stay warm.”
Keeping warm can help us cut down on our risk of health problems like cold, flu and even heart problems. Last year, we had almost a month in the very cold weather with ZERO heating. Our boiler packed up and the new one that arrived was also faulty. Luckily we had a duel fuel system and still had hot water on electric and the gas fire in the lounge. It was just the gas heating in the rest of the house that we struggled with and the kids hated having showers in really cold rooms.
There are certain people who are more vulnerable to when it’s cold:
- Over 65’s.
- Babies
- People with long term health conditions.
- The disabled.
- Low income groups.
In the UK, the NHS says that around 25,000 – 30,000 deaths a year are linked to the cold weather. We can look at ways to keep warm over the winter which can also help keep costs down.
To stay well over the winter, we can try some of these tips:
- Get our flu jabs. Over 65’s or those who are pregnant or have some medical conditions, or are carers will get it free. I am classed as a carer and get my injection every year as soon as it is available in a bid to help stop the flu in our home but before I was eligible for the free flu jab, I used to pay for it yearly.
- Set our heating properly. Keeping doors and windows closed is sensible to keep the heat in.
- Wear layers of clothing and suitable footwear for outdoor cold weather when we go out.
- Eat well. Eating hot food and drinks as well as keeping active is another way to try and keep warm.
- Electric blankets are ideal for keeping cosy without breaking the bank.
- Hot water bottles are perfect for keeping our feet warm and cosy in front of the TV.
- Close the curtains as soon as they daylight stops.
I know we could use a stylish wall fire from TJ Hughes for our home office as the radiator in there really isn’t big enough to heat the room properly. It gets overheated in summer and is extra cold in winter. Perhaps that is because it has a very large window, but the extra heat would be very welcome in there.
If you are on a low income and feel you might struggle with fuel this year, there are some cold weather benefits you might like to spend a bit of time to find out if you are eligible for. Some of the most common ones are:
- Grants for winter fuel payments and cold weather payments.
- Winter fuel payments for those born before July 5 1951.
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