Being winter ready | News

With the colder winter weather here and the forecast set to plummet at the end of the week, it’s important to get winter ready and think about things you can do to help stay warm and healthy.

Here are some top tips to stay warm:

• Wear multiple layers of clothing, including thermal base layer (avoid cotton)
• Hot meals, hot drinks
• Physical activity – don’t sit for long periods if possible
• Hot water bottles – fill carefully, don’t use boiling water!
• Wheat bags – don’t microwave for too long as they can be a fire risk
• Electric blanket – but check it’s safe and not too old

During winter months we are more at risk of power cuts and heating failures. It’s sensible to be prepared for these by having a battery powered torch to hand, with some spare batteries. And a fully charged battery operated mobile phone charger. Do not use candles to light your home as they are a fire risk.

Cutting costs to stay warm

Staying warm in a cost of living crisis can be challenging. Here are some tips for staying warm whilst being mindful of energy costs:

• Turn down the boiler flow temperature
  http://www.moneysavingboilerchallenge.com
• Turn off radiators in unused rooms
• Turn thermostat down to 18 degrees.
• Use thermostatic radiator valves if you have them
• Use timer and thermostat to control heating
• Emergency heating available in the event of breakdowns
• Check the weather forecast daily, and adjust the heaters if required
• Use automatic controls on modern storage heaters
• The boost function on your heating can be expensive

Look out for others

Spotting the signs that other people might be struggling to stay warm is important. These might be comments such as

“I’m worried about money and debt!”

“I don’t use the central heating much – I use this little heater”

“I stay in one room to keep warm and go to bed early”

There are agencies and charities who can help people in need of a warm space. Local warm spaces have been set up which are safe, warm, non-judgemental spaces where local people can:

• Sit and be warm
• Study or work on their laptops (subject to access to Wi-fi)
• Have a hot drink or food
• Be with company
• Access advice and/or information

These warm spaces could be places such as community centres, libraries, advice centres or church halls. Get in touch with your local citizen’s advice bureau to find out more.

There are dedicated websites in east and west sussex which share information about support for people who might be finding it hard to stay warm.

East Sussex: https://warmeastsussex.org.uk/

West Sussex: https://www.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk/topics/healthy-home/keep-warm