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Four ways you can prepare for the Winter

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019 | Blog
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Winter is coming! It’s not here just yet though, which makes now the perfect time to ensure that you are properly prepared for one of the more challenging times of the year. For those who are elderly or particularly vulnerable to the cold, properly preparing for the Winter months can potentially limit serious health challenges. 

 

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but we hope that we can provide you a few pointers that will help you in the coming months. 

  1. Ensure your home is prepared 

One of the most important considerations as we head into winter is ensuring your home is as prepared as possible. A cold home can be uncomfortable for some, but for the elderly and those who are vulnerable, it can be dangerous. One of the most important objects in the home over the winter is the boiler. 

 

A working boiler through the winter months will provide both warm water and central heating which are key in maintaining a warm home. Boilers should be serviced on a yearly basis and many councils offer schemes for elderly individuals to have their boilers checked or replaced for free (depending on income.) 

 

Warming your home with a working boiler is the easy part, but it’s maintaining the heat which is tricky. Ensuring your windows and fittings are all properly covered with no gaps or drafts is a good start. It’s also worth insulating between rooms. Draft excluders are typically very inexpensive and will do a great job of keeping any drafts out. Closing curtains will also add an extra level of protection against the cold outside!

  1. Extra layers 

It might seem like common sense, but wearing extra layers while in the home during the winter can really mitigate the cold. Old sweaters, doubling up on socks and even that old hat you’ve got lying about can really help keep you warm. A fluffy, thick blanket will also keep you warm during the cold months, especially during the night time! The more layers there are, the tougher it will be for the cold to get in and therefore the warmer you will be.

  1. Stock up on provisions

The UK doesn’t typically experience the same extreme weather as other countries, but it’s still worth stocking up on some extra provisions just in case we do experience a sudden snowstorm. Non-perishables are always the most sensible types of food to stock up on as you can leave them in the back of the cupboard and not have to worry about them in the short term. 

Any food items such as; 

 

  • Tinned goods i.e. beans, vegetables, soup

  • Oats

  • Lentils

  • Dried fruit

  • Rice & pasta

  • Bottled water

 

Practical items which are also important through the Winter months are; 

  • A torch

  • Batteries 

  • A basic first aid kit

  • Basic tools 

  • candles/matches

  • Spare toiletries

 

Many of these will only ever need to be used in the case of a severe snow storm - which we don’t really tend to see in the UK - but it never hurts to have a few of the essentials stored away. 

  1. Stay up-to-date    

One of the best ways to stay safe during any severe weather is ensuring you have a method of keeping up-to-date with weather developments. Whether it’s a TV, a radio or a mobile phone, ensuring you are able to watch relevant news will allow you to brace for any incoming snow or rain. A mobile phone will also enable you to keep in touch with family members and friends should the weather take a turn for the worse.

 

One of the most important things anyone can do this Winter is support those who might be vulnerable. If you have a relative or a friend who lives alone, try to make an effort to pop in with some essential supplies and spend some time with them.

 

How do you prepare for the Winter? Have you got a checklist which has to be filled before the first drop of snow?



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