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Lancashire Times
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11:10 PM 12th February 2021
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How To Stay Well During Low Temperatures

 
Public Health England (PHE) has extended the current cold weather alert until 9am on Monday 15 February as severe cold and icy weather conditions are expected to continue over the weekend.

The alert remains in place across England as the Met Office has forecast that all regions will experience bitterly cold weather with temperatures much lower than a typical winter.

Dr Owen Landeg, Group Leader, Extreme Events and Health Protection at PHE, said:
"It’s really important to keep checking on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illness.

"Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

"Make a call, or socially-distanced doorstep visit if they live close by, to remind them to heat their home to at least 18 Celsius, 64.4 Fahrenheit and to keep up to date with the forecast. It’s also helpful to check they have enough food and drinks and any medicines they need.

"If people can’t heat all the rooms they use, it’s important to heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before going to sleep. Wearing a few thin layers is better at trapping heat than wearing one thick layer and having plenty of hot food and drinks is also effective for keeping warm.

"For people struggling to afford heating bills, Simple Energy Advice provides free advice on energy efficiency and national grants to help keep you warm this winter."

To check the latest weather forecast updates visit the Met Office website or app.

This year PHE has supplemented the Cold Weather Plan for England with useful resources and advice on the concurrent risks of cold weather and COVID-19 and how to keep warm and keep well this winter.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cold-weather-plan-for-england

https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/11/11/health-matters-cold-weather-and-covid-19/