Advice from the NHS
Winter wellness
The cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications. Our partners at NHS Greater Manchester share their top tips below to help keep you healthy as the cold weather sets in.
Hot meals
Where you can, try and eat at least one hot meal a day. Having hot meals and drinks regularly will help to keep you warm
Plan your journey
From frosty mornings to dark evenings, travelling in winter can have extra hazards. Remember to wear sensible footwear, stick to well lit pathways and if travelling by car, ensure your vehicle is fully de-iced.
Babies and young children
To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, babies should sleep in rooms heated 16C to 20C. To further reduce risk, please don't be tempted to share your bed with your baby.
Get advice if you feel unwell
If you're 65 or over, or in one of the other at risk groups, it's important to get medical help as soon as you feel unwell. You can get help from a pharmacy, your GP or by calling the NHS 111 service. The sooner you get advice, the sooner you're likely to feel better. In an emergency remember to call 999
Look in on your neighbours
Check in on older neighbours and relatives, and those with heart of breathing problems. make sure they are safe and well, warm enough especially at night and have stocks of food and medicines so they don't need to go out during very cold weather.
Get a flu vaccine
Flu will often get better on it's own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It's important, where possible, to get the flue vaccine if you are advised to. The flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of complications from flu. The best time to have the vaccine is in the Autumn before flu starts too spread.
Find out more
If you or anyone may struggle in a power outage due to medical reasons or dependencies, remember you can sign up to our free Extra Care register online or by calling us on 0800 195 4141