Winter can be a very hazardous time especially for the most vulnerable people in the community. There is a direct link between cold weather and an increase in death rates, especially amongst older people and others in at-risk groups. Remember - winter need not be dangerous if you take the right steps.
If someone has had an accident in their home, fallen and injured themselves or been taken ill, they may not be able to attract attention of their neighbours or people who call at the door. Always be on the look-out for signs that something might be wrong, especially when the weather is cold.
There are many signs to look out for:
Clearly, it is important to prevent people from becoming cold in the first place. Family, friends and neighbours in the community can look out for those who might be at risk from the cold. Prevention is always easier than cure! Those who are at most risk may be eligible for extra financial support, please see below.
Hypothermia is a lowered deep-core body temperature of 35°C/95°F or below. It is the lowered temperature of the organs inside the body which is important - an ordinary thermometer cannot measure this.
You may not actually feel cold but if you sit in a cold room and do little or nothing to keep warm then you may run the risk of becoming hypothermic or becoming ill with bronchitis or pneumonia. Both are cold-related illnesses.
Safety is important in all aspects of keeping yourself warm. Care should be taken when using electric blankets or filling hot water bottles. Never use a hot water bottle and an electric blanket together, as this is extremely dangerous and could give you an electric shock.
There is an electric blanket testing service that is run by Health and Customer Services, please contact Barking and Dagenham Direct for more information.
If you are aged 60 or over, you could be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment to help with your heating bills in winter. Most people get these paid automatically, but to find out if you need to make a claim, you can contact the helpline through The Pension Service or call them on 0845 915 1515 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm, calls are charged at the local rate).
If you receive an income or disability-related benefit or credit, such as income support, housing benefit or pension credit, and either own your own home or rent it from a private landlord, you may qualify for help from The Warm Front Team.
Warm Front is a government funded scheme providing energy efficiency improvements such as loft or cavity wall insulation and, in some cases, extra heating.
If you are interested in receiving more information please call The Energy Group, Barking Town Hall on 020 8227 3637 or email: keith.stubbs@lbbd.gov.uk.
Alternatively, call Eaga Partnership on 0800 952 0600 or Powergen on 0800 952 1555.
Age Concern offers essential information to keeping safe and well through the winter months.
Independent living offers information to help you keep yourself and property warm. It also provides tips on saving money.
Department of Health offers a comprehensive resource pack intended for use with older people with chronic disease of physical disability who will be more vulnerable to cold conditions.
For initial enquiries regarding services please contact:
Tel: 020 8227 2915
Fax: 020 8227 2397
Textphone: 020 8227 2462
Email: ics@lbbd.gov.uk|
Online request for an Assessment Form|
Emergency Duty Team
Tel: 020 8594 8356
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Telephone: 020 8215 3000
Fax: 020 8227 5184
Textphone: 020 8227 5755
Email: enquiries@lbbd.gov.uk|
Telephone: 020 8594 8356
Fax: 020 8227 3470