Cold weather alert – advice on keeping warm and well
Slough Borough Council is issuing advice to residents following a cold weather alert from the Met office.
A level two alert, indicating there is a 70 per cent probability of cold weather, freezing fog patches and widespread overnight frosts from Monday 20 January and Tuesday 21 January,
It is expected to be cold throughout the nights which will be offset by generally fine daytime conditions with sunny spells.
Cold weather can be bad for people’s health, with the over 65s, low income families and people living with a disability or a medical condition most at risk.
Due to the forecast for cold weather the council is opening its night shelter provision to include its SWEP service, from today Friday 17 January until the morning of Monday 20 January.
Anyone who thinks they may need shelter during this time is asked to register in advance. This can be done in person at MyCouncil (Landmark Place, High Street) until 4pm today, Friday.
The housing needs team will then find a suitable placement for the person.
To make sure rough sleepers know when the service is open, the main agencies who come into contact with homeless people – council staff, the police, SHOC, and others – get told when the cold weather plan is activated.
A special helpline called StreetLink is available for rough sleepers and members of the public who wish to report someone sleeping rough.
The helpline number is 0300 500 0914, or visit www.streetlink.org.uk
The council will be monitoring the forecast and extending the opening period if needed.
The council’s public health team has also issued some advice about keeping warm and well this winter and to help you look after yourself and others.
• Keep warm – heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F). You may prefer your main living room to be slightly warmer. Keep your bedroom window closed on a winter’s night. Breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections.
• Don’t delay in getting treatment for minor winter ailments like colds or sore throats - visit your local pharmacist for advice on treatment before it gets worse so you can recover more quickly.
• Layer your clothing whether you are indoors or outside - wrap a scarf around your mouth to protect your lungs from the cold air.
• Wear shoes with a good grip if you need to go outside.
• When you’re indoors, try not to sit still for more than an hour or so. Get up, stretch your legs and make yourself a warm drink.
• Put several layers of clothing on children; make sure their head, neck and hands are covered. If they then get warm, they can take one layer off at a time. Dress babies and young children in one more layer than an adult would wear.
• In drier winter air everyone loses more water through their breath. Keep drinking and try warm drinks and soup for extra appeal.
• Food is a vital source of energy and helps to keep your body warm so have plenty of hot food and drinks and stock up on tinned and frozen foods so you don’t have to go out too much when it’s cold or icy.
• Draw your curtains at dusk to help keep heat generated inside your rooms.
If you are concerned about your health or somebody you care for, advice can be obtained from www.nhs.uk/winterhealth, NHS 111 or your local pharmacist.
More information here http://www.slough.gov.uk/housing/emergency-accommodation-in-severe-weather.aspx
A level two alert, indicating there is a 70 per cent probability of cold weather, freezing fog patches and widespread overnight frosts from Monday 20 January and Tuesday 21 January,
It is expected to be cold throughout the nights which will be offset by generally fine daytime conditions with sunny spells.
Cold weather can be bad for people’s health, with the over 65s, low income families and people living with a disability or a medical condition most at risk.
Due to the forecast for cold weather the council is opening its night shelter provision to include its SWEP service, from today Friday 17 January until the morning of Monday 20 January.
Anyone who thinks they may need shelter during this time is asked to register in advance. This can be done in person at MyCouncil (Landmark Place, High Street) until 4pm today, Friday.
The housing needs team will then find a suitable placement for the person.
To make sure rough sleepers know when the service is open, the main agencies who come into contact with homeless people – council staff, the police, SHOC, and others – get told when the cold weather plan is activated.
A special helpline called StreetLink is available for rough sleepers and members of the public who wish to report someone sleeping rough.
The helpline number is 0300 500 0914, or visit www.streetlink.org.uk
The council will be monitoring the forecast and extending the opening period if needed.
The council’s public health team has also issued some advice about keeping warm and well this winter and to help you look after yourself and others.
• Keep warm – heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F). You may prefer your main living room to be slightly warmer. Keep your bedroom window closed on a winter’s night. Breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections.
• Don’t delay in getting treatment for minor winter ailments like colds or sore throats - visit your local pharmacist for advice on treatment before it gets worse so you can recover more quickly.
• Layer your clothing whether you are indoors or outside - wrap a scarf around your mouth to protect your lungs from the cold air.
• Wear shoes with a good grip if you need to go outside.
• When you’re indoors, try not to sit still for more than an hour or so. Get up, stretch your legs and make yourself a warm drink.
• Put several layers of clothing on children; make sure their head, neck and hands are covered. If they then get warm, they can take one layer off at a time. Dress babies and young children in one more layer than an adult would wear.
• In drier winter air everyone loses more water through their breath. Keep drinking and try warm drinks and soup for extra appeal.
• Food is a vital source of energy and helps to keep your body warm so have plenty of hot food and drinks and stock up on tinned and frozen foods so you don’t have to go out too much when it’s cold or icy.
• Draw your curtains at dusk to help keep heat generated inside your rooms.
If you are concerned about your health or somebody you care for, advice can be obtained from www.nhs.uk/winterhealth, NHS 111 or your local pharmacist.
More information here http://www.slough.gov.uk/housing/emergency-accommodation-in-severe-weather.aspx
