Health Information and Self Care Advice for Scotland

How can I keep warm and well over winter?

It's very important to protect yourself against the cold. Around half of all deaths caused by wintry weather are due to chest disease such as  heart disease or stroke. A drop in body temperature contributes to these deaths by thickening the blood and restricting circulation. There is also an increased risk of injury from falls, and people are more prone to seasonal illnesses like flu.

Tips on keeping warm and well:

• Keep your home warm.
• Improve your insulation and draught proofing and keep your house well heated.
• Wrap up warm, inside and out. Several thin layers are better than one thick layer.
• Wear a hat (up to half your body heat is lost through the head) and shoes that will grip in slippery conditions.
• Contact your GP about the flu jab. It is free of charge to everyone aged 65 or over and those in 'at risk' groups. 'At risk' includes those who have serious respiratory conditions (including asthma), diabetes, a serious heart, liver or kidney condition, or have a lowered immunity due to disease or treatment.  
• Watch what you eat. A healthy diet will reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity and some cancers. Hot drinks will give you warmth and energy.
• Keep active. Avoid sitting down for long periods. Even light exercise will increase your appetite and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Stop smoking. You're never too old to quit and the benefits are numerous. Call the NHS Stop Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0169.

Financial help

The Department of Health's annual 'Keep Warm Keep Well' campaign aims to reduce the number of cold-related illnesses and deaths this winter. Older people, disabled people, families on low incomes and those with long-term conditions such as heart, lung or kidney disease, are thought to be particularly at risk from the effects of cold weather.

Keep Warm Keep Well can advise on getting financial help in winter, including the Warm Front Scheme, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.

The Warm Front Scheme offers grants for heating and insulation improvements up to £2700. You may qualify if you own your home or rent it from a private landlord, and are in receipt of a disability-related or income-related benefits and you:

• are disabled,
• have a child under 16,
• are pregnant and have a maternity certificate MAT B1, or
• are 60 or over.

To find out if you qualify please call a Warm Front advisor free on 0800 072 0151. Or apply online at the Eaga Group website.

Winter Fuel Payments (08459 15 15 15) are available to you if are aged 60 or over on or before 24 September 2006 and normally live in Great Britain.

Cold weather payments may be available to you if you get Pension Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and you have a pensioner or disability premium, or a child who is disabled or under the age of five.

For further information about staying healthy and keeping warm, download the Winter Guide from the Department of Health website.

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Last updated on 27 June 2007 04:48 PM