Every year, as temperatures drop over the winter period, cold weather affects health and wellbeing.
Physical hazards such as snow and ice increase the likelihood of falls and injuries. Exposure to cold temperatures can increase blood pressure, suppress the immune system and make fighting infection more difficult. These factors add up to cold-related deaths being the most significant weather-related source of mortality in England.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), with information from the Met Office, issue a Cold Health Alert when impacts are expected to be seen from low temperatures.
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We are not able to prevent cold weather, however, through better forecasting and advanced warning we can better plan for when they occur.
Cold temperatures have an impact on our health, but there are other risks in winter including physical injuries from slips, trips, and falls.
As we get older it becomes harder for our bodies to detect how cold we are, and it takes longer to warm up. For older people particularly, the longer the exposure to the cold, the more risk of heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia, depression, worsening arthritis and increased accidents at home (associated with loss of strength and dexterity in the hands).
Cold weather can be linked to other risks, such as:
There are things you can do to prepare yourself and your household for cold weather. Click on the content below to learn more:
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have a Cold-health Alert system that is used between 1 November and 31 March every year. The service is aimed at health and social care professionals and anyone with a role in reducing health impacts caused by extended periods of cold weather. For individuals receiving the service, it also provides situational awareness if health and well-being is at risk, allowing precautions to be taken.
To sign up to receive the UKHSA Weather-Health Alert Alerts click the following link
For more information on the National Severe Weather Warnings click the following link
Consider whether you really need to make the journey. If you are travelling when snow or ice is forecast, make sure that you and your car are fully prepared for the trip and that:
If you’re walking
If you’re driving
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