Cold weather
Cold weather can make some health problems worse and lead to other health risks.
Cold weather can lead to hypothermia, falls and injuries, heart attacks, strokes, respiratory diseases and flu, mental health problems (such as depression and anxiety) and carbon monoxide poisoning from poorly maintained and/or poorly ventilated boilers, cooking and heating appliances.
Cold-related illnesses and severe cold weather can put pressure on hospitals, emergency departments and GP surgeries.
Bugs and germs
Stay protected from flu by getting your flu jab.
Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Encourage friends and family to do the same. This reduces the spread of bugs and germs.
Throw used tissues into the bin as soon as possible.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Use over the counter cough and cold remedies and paper tissues.
For more about flu visit the NHS 111 website.
Keeping your home warm and safe
- Make sure your home is warm enough – around 18°C/65°F (bedroom) and 21°C/70°F (living room).
- You may want to just heat one room and stay in that one as much as possible.
- Babies should sleep in rooms heated to between 16C and 20C.
- Reduce cold draughts and heat loss from around windows and doors. But, do not block ventilation points.
- Have your heating and cooking appliances serviced at least once a year by a professional engineer. For registered engineers Gas appliances: Gas Safe Solid Fuel appliances: HETAS
- Check if you can receive help, benefits and sources of advice that are available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or to help with bills. For more support, see Citizens Advice and Winter Fuel Payments.
Keeping yourself warm
- Food is a vital source of energy, which helps to keep your body warm. Make sure you have hot meals and drinks (tea, coffee or cocoa) throughout the day.
- Drinking alcohol will not keep you warm
- Keep active at home if you can
- Wear lots of thin layers of clothes made from cotton, wool or fleece rather than one thick layer
- Keep warm in bed with blankets and lots of thin layers of clothes.
- A lot of body heat is lost from the head. If you have to go out, wear a hat and remember to wear shoes with a good grip.
Watch our for hypothermia
Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35C (normal body temperature is around 37C). It is a medical emergency that needs to be treated in hospital.
Know the symptoms. Go to A&E or call 999
If someone is:
- shivering
- pale, cold and dry skin – their skin and lips may be blue
- slurred speech
- slow breathing
- tiredness or confusion
A baby with hypothermia may be:
- cold to touch and their skin may be red
- floppy
- unusually quiet and sleepy and may refuse to feed
For more information visit NHS Hypothermia