Our Blog

Be prepared

The Met Office provides weather forecasts on radio and TV, so listen in to these bulletins regularly to keep up to date with the weather.

Severe weather warnings are also issued on the Met Office website, through the Met Office Twitter feed, or you can call the Weather Desk on 0370 900 0100 or 01392 885 680.

Protect your health in the cold

If you start to feel unwell, even if it's a cough or cold, don't wait until it gets more serious. Seek advice from your pharmacist.

Follow these tips on keeping well in the cold:

• find out if you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS
• wear several layers of clothes rather than one chunky layer – clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres help to maintain body heat
• use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed – but don't use both at the same time
• have at least one hot meal a day – eating regularly helps keep you warm; and make sure you have hot drinks regularly
• try not to sit still for more than an hour or so indoors – get up and stretch your legs
• stay active – even moderate exercise can help keep you warm
• wrap a scarf loosely around your mouth when outdoors – add a hat and wear shoes with a good grip, too. If you have a heart or respiratory problem, stay indoors during very cold weather

You can also download this UK Government leaflet ‘Keep Warm, Keep Well’, which gives advice on staying well in cold weather, covering issues such as financial help, healthy lifestyle, flu jabs and heating: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/653267/Keep_Warm_Keep_Well_2017.pdf