Keeping warm in winter

Keep up-to-date on cold weather alerts by visiting the Met Office cold weather alert.

The Council is reminding all residents of the following to ensure you stay safe and warm during the winter months.

Your health

• if you are over 65, have a long-term health condition or are pregnant, you are eligible for a free flu jab to protect against seasonal flu. Please speak to your GP
• keep your body warm by having warm food and drinks regularly. Visit Help with Meals to find out more information about our community resources
• make essential journeys only. If you must travel, make sure that you are fully prepared for all events and conditions. Wear lots of thin layers to keep warm
• prepare an emergency kit. This could include torches and spare batteries; canned food; bottled water; utensils including a can-opener; blankets; medication and warm clothes
• make sure you have a list of emergency numbers if you need to call for assistance or advice during the cold weather
• visit NHS Choices for health guidance
• visit Hackney SHINE for assistance on keeping well and warm throughout the year

Your home

• make sure you know how to switch off your water, electricity and gas supply. Check pipes are protected to prevent them bursting. Ask someone for help if you do not know how
• make sure you have a working smoke alarm on each level of your home as well as a carbon monoxide alarm as you will be utilizing your heating and cooking appliances more than usual
• try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18°C (65#F), particularly if you are not mobile
• if you are unable to heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed

Hackney Housing residents can call 020 8356 3691 for out of hours emergencies.

Your community

• check on elderly or disabled neighbours to make sure they are keeping warm and have access to essentials such as food or medicine to prevent them going out unnecessarily. If you’re worried about them, contact us
• sign up for UK weather warnings from the Met Office

If you are seriously concerned about your own health or that of others, alert the emergency services. If it is not a 999 (life threatening) emergency, you should call the NHS on 111, a free to call number (mobiles and landlines). The 111 service provides initial assessment and directs people to the right local service.

Organisations that can help

If you want to visit somewhere to warm up this winter, see find a warm welcome space for a list of locations.

Further information and advice on staying warm during winter is available from:

• Age UK
• NHS – Keep Warm, Keep Well

Government payments and schemes

• Winter fuel payment
• Cold weather payment
• Warm Home discount scheme