COLUMN: Our advice on how to stay warm and well this winter

By Karen Johnson
South Holland District Council community development officer

The first signs of winter have begun to creep in. It’s amazing how after changing the clocks the nights soon start to draw in and many of us start to light our log burners or turn up the central heating in a bid to keep warm and toasty in our own homes.
However, for some residents this isn’t the case. Fuel poverty is a very serious issues with one in ten homes being seen as fuel poor. These households are faced with low income and high energy bills.

Cold homes can have a direct impact on our health and well-being including increasing the risks of heart attacks, hypothermia, flu, falls and an indirect health impact such as affecting our mental health, poorer nutrition, increased isolation and a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Most heat is lost through your walls, then roofs, followed by drafts and floors and lastly our windows. This is because heat moves in our homes from warm to cold areas. 18-21 degrees Celsius is a healthy temperature that shows no risk to healthy people. However, more vulnerable people may want to increase this to 24C.

There are many simple things that you can do to stay warm and well. Why not sign up to the Met Offices website www.metoffice.gov.uk this way you are made aware of any future cold spells and can prepare accordingly.

Other simple things to do include layering your clothing, check that you are getting the best energy deal www.goenergyshopping.co.uk, have regular hot meals and drinks to keep warm and prevent winter colds, keep active, buy your fuel in summer when it tends to be cheaper, check if you are eligible for any grants or financial assistance www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/, close your doors and windows to prevent draughts, boil only what you need in a kettle and turn off unused equipment.

By reducing your thermostat by 1C it can lower your fuel bills by ten per cent, also consider a hot water tank jacket, install low energy lighting and use power down plugs.

If you require small household repairs like draught excluders and are over 60, call Age UK’s Handy Person Scheme on 01775 720305. SHARE South Holland timebank can also help to carry out one off jobs or activities.
For more details visit www.tonic-health.co.uk/Timebank.asp or call 01775 725059.