Cold weather
Cold weather can sometimes make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you're over 65 or have a long-term health condition. Take a look at the links below for information on how to stay well.
- NHS - How to stay well in winter
- Buckinghamshire Council - Winter Health
- Age UK - Keeping well this winter.
Remember to check on elderly friends, relatives and neighbours to ensure they're OK and have everything they need.
If you need to leave your home...
- Dress in layers of lightweight clothing which keep you warmer than a single layer of heavy clothes
- Wear a suitable warm coat, gloves and hat
- Remove layers as necessary to prevent overheating and perspiring, as this can lead to chills
- Wear shoes or boots with a good grip to prevent slips and falls on wet or icy surfaces
- Slow down when walking across slippery surfaces and be especially careful on stairways
- Make sure you eat well and have regular hot food and drinks. Don't skip breakfast - it provides you with the fuel to start your day
- Cold weather can put extra strain on your body, even if you aren't overexerting yourself. Be sure to pace yourself.
Keeping your home warm
- What to do with frozen or burst pipes
- Energy saving tips
- Heating your home - everything you need to know about keeping your home warm, and how we can help if you’re having problems with your heating.
Damp, mould and condensation
Please make sure you tell us as soon as possible if you're concerned about damp, mould or condensation in your home. You’ll need to provide us with some details and then we’ll get back to you with some next steps. You can complete our online form or alternatively we can take you through the questions over the phone - call 01494 476100. It’s important that we gather all the right information to make sure we can tackle the problem quickly, so please allow 10 minutes or so to complete the form.
- Report damp, mould or condensation
- More on what causes damp, mould and condensation, and how you can help prevent it occurring
Hot weather
Although our bodies benefit from sunlight, too much exposure to the sun's rays can damage the skin and cause burning. Our bodies can become overheated during hot weather, which can lead to health problems, so we all need to ensure that we properly protect ourselves during these conditions.
Protecting yourself from direct sunlight
- Wear light clothing or wear loose-fitting clothes
- Wear a hat to protect your head from burning
- Stay in the shade whenever possible
- Use a high factor sunscreen of at least SPF30 on any exposed skin
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
If you're indoors
- Consider opening windows. Sometimes it may be better to keep the windows closed, draw the curtains and use a fan
- Try not to sit in direct sunlight, especially behind glass
- Ventilate the area as much as possible
- Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly.
Get in touch
If you need help and support, you can also get in touch with us. We'd be more than happy to help, or to put you in touch with someone who can.