Keep Warm, Keep Well
Keep Warm, Keep Well This Winter
As the weather gets colder we are all more likely to catch colds or flu and so to keep well, it's important that you keep warm this winter. If your body temperature drops then the risks of a heart attack, stroke or breathing difficulties increases. This is especially true for older people, or if you have a chronic disease or have a physical disability.
There's lots you can do to keep warm and well this winter. Many of the suggestions that follow are common sense, but they are still important to remember:
Download keeping warm in winter guidance (PDF File; 148 KB)
Download 3 steps to a warmer winter (PDF File; 273 KB)
- Dress Well - Wear several thin layers of clothes both at home and under your coat when you go outdoors. Wear something on your head outdoors, otherwise you'll get cold very quickly. Wear warm, dry, flat, non-slip shoes or boots. A good way to keep warm in bed is to wear bed socks and a night-cap or scarf round your head, as well as thermal underwear and a warm night-dress or pyjamas.
- Eat Well - Food keeps you warm and you should aim to have at least one hot meal a day and hot drinks regularly through the day. Have a hot drink before bedtime and take a thermos flask of a hot drink to have by your bed in case you wake up in the night feeling cold.
- Keep Moving - Moving around will generate extra body heat so don't stay sitting for long periods and spread housework out through the day. Try to do moderate exercise such as walking, but be careful not to take risks in wet or icy weather.
- Keep A Warm Home - Fit draughtproofing to help seal gaps around windows and doors, lay insulation in the loft to reduce heat loss, and ensure your hot water cylinder and pipes are lagged. Check your heating system is working properly and serviced at least once a year.
Electric Blanket Testing
The Electric Blanket Testing Campaign is an annual, county wide campaign each October, aimed at reducing the risk of fires caused by faulty electric blankets.
It is predominantly targeted at older people, as they are the population group most likely to use electric blankets.
You can book your blanket for testing by contacting the relevant booking ‘hotline’in your area, where you will be given a specific time and date at an appropriate location. The details of the booking lines can be found on each area poster. See the poster for a venue near you.
Advice on keeping warm in your property
Anyone in Oxfordshire who is struggling with their fuel bills or wanting information on how to keep warm this winter can call for free, impartial advice on:
- Cheaper prices for gas and electricity
- Discounts for insulating your home
- Managing debts from your fuel bills
- Repairing or replacing your heating
- Energy saving tips that save you money
- Other options for help and support
The Affordable Warmth Helpline is 0800 107 00 44 and is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Winter Fuel Payments
A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help people aged 60 and over with the costs of keeping warm this winter.
For information, to inform the Pension Service about a change of circumstances, or to get a claim form for either this winter or past winters:
Telephone
Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 9 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users).
Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and calls are charged at local rates.
Website
The Pension Service: Winter Fuel Payments (external link)
Warm Front Grants to Help Keep Your Home Warm
If you receive an income or disability related benefit or credit, such as Income Support, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit, and either own your own home or rent it from a private landlord, you may qualify for help from The Warm Front Team to make your home warmer.
Warm Front is a Government-funded scheme providing energy efficiency improvements such as loft or cavity wall insulation and in some cases, extra heating. Defra is responsible for funding the Warmfront scheme nationally.
For further information please call free on 0800 952 0600.