Staying well this winter
Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
The government's advice on cold weather and health has information to help prevent the major avoidable effects of cold weather on health.
Weather alerts
Visit the Met Office for information on the latest weather alerts: UK weather warnings
Leaks during the cold period
Thames Water customers who spot a leak or burst pipe on a street or pavement should contact their 24-hour leak line, telephone Freephone 0800 714 614. This will help them fix pipes as soon as possible and grit potentially dangerous ice patches.
Schools
Schools may sometimes close in very bad weather. Check directly with the school before you travel: visit Find a school.
Gritting of roads and pavements
Our Waste Management team is responsible for gritting public roads and pavements. Certain routes are prioritised, such main roads, pedestrian crossings, access to schools and social services properties.
For safety reasons we don't recommend residents gritting their own roads - our street teams are out in force making sure as much of the borough as possible is covered - if you have any concerns or questions you should email [email protected].
Transport for London (TFL) is responsible for maintaining the red routes which run through the borough, further information is available by calling 020 7343 5000 or email [email protected].
Rough sleeping
If you see someone sleeping rough in the borough, you can contact the Street Population Outreach Team; telephone 020 7341 5210 or 020 7361 3008, 9am to 5pm or email [email protected].
You can also report a rough sleeper via the national website Streetlink or telephone 0300 500 0914. Streetlink will give the details you provide to the local authority or outreach service for the area in which you have seen the person. The aim is to help the local authority find the individual and connect them to support. If you are concerned about a person under 18, please inform the police. Streetlink also has an app, which can be downloaded on your mobile phone or tablet.
Supporting your older and more vulnerable neighbours and loved ones
Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family and ask if they need any practical help, or if they're feeling unwell.
- meals on wheels services should operate as normal unless we advise otherwise
- NHS's Keep Warm, Keep Well page provides information on how to keep yourself warm and healthy
- Find out more about the Healthier Homes Project.
There are simple steps they can take to stay warm including:
- trying to heat rooms they use in their home to at least 18°C if they can
- keeping active when indoors
- wearing several layers
- regularly checking the forecast
- ensuring they have enough to eat, drink and any medicines they need
The UK Warm Welcome Space Campaign
A large number of warm spaces across the country, including some in the Square Mile, can be found on the warm spaces map. These spaces offer a friendly welcome, refreshments, and information about other support available. You may also wish to let neighbours know about Warm Welcome Spaces, a UK-wide directory of warm spaces.
Get advice if you feel unwell
If you're 65 or over, or in one of the other at-risk groups, it's important to get medical help as soon as you feel unwell.
You can get help and advice from:
- a pharmacy – pharmacists can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor
- your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to
- NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do
Tips on keeping warm
Here are some tips to help you keep warm this winter.
Layer clothes to keep in the heat
Wear extra layers in the house – jumpers, cardigans, leggings, thermals, socks etc. anything that will keep you warm and potentially let you keep the house a few degrees cooler.
Get electric heated blankets or heat pads or a hot water bottle
There are lots of options to get some extra warmth. Consider getting an:
- electric blanket or electric gilet
- electric heat pad
- USB gloves / USB or reusable hand warmers
- heated insoles or electric footwarmer
- hot water bottle or microwaveable wheat bag
E.g. Get an electric heated blanket for the night – instead of keeping the whole house warm in the night, everyone could use heated blankets instead which use far less energy. Also consider sleeping with an extra layer on and double the blankets.
Eat regularly and have at least one hot meal a day
The NH says eating regularly will help keep you warm. Have one hot meal a day and also drink hot drinks regularly. Consider homemade soup and porridge for money saving options.
Keep your feet warm with thermal socks, slippers and rugs
It's said that if your feet are cold, the rest of you will feel cold too. Wearing thermal socks or slippers can be essential to staying warm inside. Also consider putting down rugs and bathmats to help your feet stay warm.
The floor is usually the coldest part of the house. Putting your feet up on a stool or similar can help them stay that little bit warmer while you're sitting down.
Hot water bottle or heated pad in a sleeping bag
When sitting down, consider putting your legs in a sleeping bag to keep out draughts. For extra warmth, put a hot water bottle or electric heat pad at the bottom.
Warm up by moving around
Gentle exercise can help you stay warm, so try and move around once an hour.
Warning: Turning off central heating can cause its own issues
Not heating your home properly can contribute to damp/mould issues and frozen pipes if the weather's cold, which can result in hundreds of pounds of damage.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends ventilating rooms and having the heating on to some degree during winter.