Our winter checklist to Protect your Loved Ones
With the days getting shorter and the temperatures dropping, it is essential to make sure you and your loved ones are ready for the winter season. So, what can you do to be ready for the winter?
Keeping warm, eating and drinking well, following good hand hygiene, and getting a flu jab if you are at risk will help you and your family stay healthy throughout the cold season.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the winter.
- Check your heating system
Your home should be heated to at least 18 degrees Celsius. Get your heating system checked by a qualified professional before the cold weather arrives and check if your pipes are insulated to avoid frozen pipes.
- Wear warm clothes
Avoid hypothermia by wearing suitable clothes. Wear shoes with good grip when going outside.
- Stock up on food
Freezing some bread and milk as well as making sure you have lots of tins in the cupboard will help if the weather makes a turn for the worse.
- Get a flu jab
The flu jab is free for anyone over the age of 65, pregnant women and young children.
Older and vulnerable people are more sensitive to the cold. Cold temperatures can increase the risk of flu and raise blood pressure, leading to a higher risk of stroke. Having at least one hot meal a day, and hot drinks throughout the day helps limiting these risks. Make sure you and your relatives stock up on food, and order prescriptions in advance so you don’t run out.
With less natural light, many people tend to feel down. If you can, regularly visit, phone or Skype your loved ones. Loneliness combined with shorter days can lead to depression, so keeping regularly in touch and visiting your relatives can make a big difference to them.
If you or your loved ones need companionship or help with domestic and hygiene tasks, Caremark can support you. Contact us today to discuss your options.