Who is at risk?
While the cold weather can affect anyone, there are certain groups who are particularly vulnerable. These include:
- People age 65 years and over
- Individuals with long-term health conditions, including: cardiovascular and/or respiratory diseases
- Pregnant individuals
- Children age 5 and under
- People with learning disabilities
- People at risk of falls
- People living alone and unable to care for themselves
- Housebound individuals, or people with low mobility
Why is there an increased risk of illnesses and injuries in winter?
- Cold weather can weaken the body's immune defences, making people more susceptible to respiratory infections like colds, flu, and pneumonia.
- Ice and snow create slippery surfaces, leading to a higher risk of slips, trips, and falls. Injuries like sprains, fractures, and head injuries are more common in winter due to these conditions
- Infectious diseases, such as flu and norovirus circulate at a higher frequency in winter
Keep your home warm
Make sure your hearting 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 21°C through the day and at least 18°C at night.
- Using draft excluders against external doors
- Closing windows at night
- Wearing two or three layers of thinner clothing, instead of a single thick item of clothing.
Cumberland Council have developed staying warm this winter guidance.
Traveling advice
- Check the weather forecast and plan your route to make sure there are no issues reported
- Allow extra time for your journey so you can drive safely
- If snow or ice is expected, consider delaying your journey until it clears. If you need to, you can reschedule your appointment.
Cumberland Council have developed a local winter ready guide which includes information about travel, floods and fire risks.