Stay warm and well this winter

Here are some tips to help keep you warm and well during the colder months:

• Be ready for cold weather – check the forecast.
• Have hot meals and plenty of hot drinks, so make sure you have plenty of food in the house. Tinned, dried and frozen foods are great as they will keep fresh.
• Have a good supply of your prescription medicines in the house in case the weather turns bad and you can’t collect them. If you can, arrange to have your prescription medicines delivered.
• Flu is much more serious than a cold and can be fatal. Have your flu jab - people over 65 or who have existing medical conditions get this for free.
• Check the temperature in your living room and bedroom. Have a simple thermometer or set your heating controls to 21 C in your sitting room and 18 C in your bedroom.
• Wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer, to trap the heat better. Socks and hats are great too.
• Keep moving if you can. Try not to sit for more than an hour - get up and walk around. If walking is a problem, try moving your arms and legs while sitting, or wiggling your fingers and toes.


Councillor Stephen Thomas, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult Services Committee, said: “I would strongly urge people to follow these simple but important tips and also to remember the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk.

“There is lots of support available to people who may be struggling over the winter, and I would encourage people to make use of the services that are available.

“I’m also delighted members of the Finance & Policy Committee recently agreed to allocate the remaining £9,500 from the Child and Family Poverty Reserve towards an extension of the successful ‘Filling the Holiday Gap’ scheme.

“This will enable organisations that were supported to run healthy food projects throughout the summer to run similar schemes to support their most disadvantaged families over the Christmas holiday period and staff in our three Community Hubs will be able to signpost people towards these projects.”



Councillor Stephen Thomas, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council's Adult Services Committee.

There’s lots more advice (including details of free help from Cleveland Fire Brigade for anyone struggling to keep warm this winter) at www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk – search for ‘keeping warm’.

To contact Cleveland Fire Brigade’s Stay Safe and Warm team directly call (01429) 874063.

Winter is also a time of year when people can feel isolated and lonely. There is lots of information at www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk on activities and groups in the local area that can help people stay active and reduce loneliness.