Cold Weather Plan

The Department of Health and the NHS have issues a Cold Weather Plan to help protect individuals and communities. These pages have extracts from the advice for individuals and for community groups.

If you run a community group or voluntary agency, click here for other NHS guidance.

Individuals, families and carers

Level 1

Consider how you can protect  yourself and your family and friends from the effects of cold weather:

• Ensure that you can easily access information about cold weather  and health (further information is given in the Cold Weather Plan and in the companion  document  to the plan, Making  the Case).
• Make sure that you and your family members have received all appropriate vaccinations (influenza, pneumococcal, meningitis), particularly if you or they are in an at-risk group.
• Ensure that you have a room thermometer.
• Consider improving the heating  efficiency of your home, including better  insulation.
• Find out whether you are entitled to grants and subsidies for home heating  and insulation.
• Check that home heating,  radiators, boilers and electric heaters are serviced ahead of winter to reduce the risk of breakdowns  during  the cold weather.
• Have all gas, solid fuel and oil burning appliances (i.e. boilers, heaters and cookers) serviced by an appropriately registered engineer. Malfunctioning appliances can release carbon monoxide  – a gas which at high levels will kill and at lower levels can cause health problems.
• Make sure that flues and chimneys are swept and checked for blockages and that there is adequate ventilation in rooms to allow appliances to work properly.  Fit an audible carbon monoxide  alarm which is EN50291 compliant, although fitting this type of alarm should not replace regular maintenance  of appliances.
• Where the home is not connected to the mains gas network and heating  oil or LPG is the main heating source, households should ensure that heating  oil and gas are purchased early to avoid running out during  periods of severely cold weather.
• Consider who might  be at particular risk from cold weather  among your family, neighbours  and friends, and how you can help them to protect  themselves against the ill-effects  of cold weather.
• Layer your clothing and wear shoes with  a good grip if you need to go outside.
• Follow expert advice on protecting and insulating your water pipes against freezing  (advice on pipe protection and what to do in the event of bursts is given by most water companies on their websites).

Level 2

Consider how you can protect  yourself and your family and friends, especially those most at risk.

These include older people, the very young, and people with  underlying medical conditions,  including respiratory  conditions  such as asthma and chronic obstructive  pulmonary disease (COPD).

Actions to prepare for impending severe winter weather  include:

• Stay informed by tuning in to weather  forecasts.
• Take the weather  into account when planning your activity over the following days. For example, avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions  if you are at higher risk of cold-related illness or falls.
• Consider how you can access essential medication and groceries without putting yourself at risk, for example by getting supplies in early, having them delivered, or asking a friend  or neighbour for help.
• Check that the heating  in your home is working properly,  that your home is warm enough and that at least one room meets recommended  room temperatures (see table below).
• Consider whether any friends and family could benefit from some additional support during  the cold snap.
• Discuss with  neighbours,  community, friends and relatives about clearing snow and ice from in front of your house and public walkways nearby if you are unable to do this yourself.