Prepare to be winter-wise
WITH Bonfire Night coming up this weekend, we’re hovering on the cusp of winter. The clocks have gone back, the air has a definite nip and the nights are drawing in.
So do wrap up warm if you are planning on watching a fireworks display or waving some sparklers!
Winter can be a difficult time of year for many of us. Dark evenings and icy pavements make it harder to get out, while cold weather can make us vulnerable to illness. So it’s important to be winter-wise and look after yourself in the coldest months.
Wrap up warm, eat well, with hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day for energy, and the NHS advises drinking more milk to boost your immune system and help prevent colds. Keep your cupboards and freezer well stocked and stay active — don’t sit still for more than an hour. Have an annual flu jab and the one-off ‘pneumo’ jab. And a vitamin D supplement is a good idea.
Keep the home warm and make sure your bedroom window is closed at night when it is cold.
People born before August 5, 1953, are eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300. Those receiving State Pension or Pension Credit will get it automatically. Otherwise call the helpline on 0345 915 1515 to make a claim.
You might also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment of £25 each time the average temperature falls below freezing for seven days in a row. Find more information at www.independentage.org.