Who is at risk?
While the cold weather can affect anyone, there are certain groups who are particularly vulnerable. These include:
- older people (aged 65 years and over)
- people with long-term health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory disease,
or a mental health condition - pregnant women
- young children (particularly those aged 5 and under)
- people with learning disabilities
- people at risk of falls
- people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves
- people who are housebound or have low mobility
- people living in deprived circumstances
Why is there an increased risk of illnesses and injuries in winter?
There are many reasons for the increased risk of ill-health in cold weather. These include:
- poor quality housing and particularly cold homes
- higher frequency of circulating infectious diseases, such as flu and norovirus during
the winter months - physical hazards such as snow and ice.
During cold weather, people may also use malfunctioning or inappropriate appliances to heat their homes. This can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
When a house is damp as well as cold, mould is more likely to occur. This can increase the
risk of illness, especially from asthma.
Keep your home warm
Make sure your heating is set to a temperature that is comfortable for you. Small adjustments can also help keep you warmer in the colder months such as:
- Heating room you use a lot, to at least 18°C
- Using draft excluders against external doors
- Closing windows at night
- Wearing a few thin layers of clothing is better at trapping heat than wearing one thick layer.
If you cannot heat all the rooms you use, it’s important to heat the rooms that you spend most time in (e.g. the living room during the day and the bedroom just before going to sleep). You should aim to heat these rooms to at least 18 degrees if you can.
If you’re struggling with heating costs, Warm Homes Essex may be able to help you reduce energy costs.
Do your bit: look after yourself and others
Help reduce the risk of catching and spreading flu and COVID by getting your seasonal vaccinations. You can also lower your risk of catching norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, by following our norovirus guide.
Your local pharmacy can help with common winter illnesses like coughs, colds and sore throats. They can also provide some prescription medicines for certain conditions without the need for a GP appointment.
Pharmacies are open late, on weekends and during bank holidays with no appointment needed. They can also signpost you to other local services if required.
For urgent medical advice, NHS 111 can assess your needs and direct you to the most appropriate local service, including consultations with a pharmacist. If necessary, they can arrange a callback from a nurse, doctor or paramedic, or provide self-care advice over the phone. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access online via 111.nhs.uk.
If you have a hearing impairment, call 18001 111 using the Relay UK app or a textphone. For British Sign Language (BSL) support, visit signvideo.co.uk/nhs111. If you need help in another language, call 111 and ask for an interpreter.
During cold weather, check in on vulnerable or elderly family members, friends and neighbours who may need extra support. Prolonged cold spells can lead to isolation, and they may need help with food shopping, collecting prescriptions, or simply a friendly chat.
Winter health adviceFor the latest weather updates and advice, visit the Met Office.