Keep Warm, Keep Well - Print version

Keeping warm and well this winter

As energy bills remain high, we all need to focus on keeping warm at home, while making sure we are keeping costs down and not wasting energy. If you are worried about the cost of heating your home this winter, there is lots of advice and support on offer. Have a look at the Keeping Coventry Warm scheme [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/home-energy-warmth/keeping-coventry-warm].

Top tips for keeping warm and safe:

• Check the weather forecast
• Stay safe and secure - keep doors locked and make sure you ask callers for ID
• Get your heating system and other gas appliances checked by a professional
• Keep a useful list of contacts handy
• Keep a couple of bottles of clean water in storage in case of frozen pipes
• Keep internal doors closed to stop draughts
• Layer up – many thin layers of clothing are best
• Ensure your home is well insulated and your boiler is serviced
• Heat rooms where you spend a lot of time to at least 18°C
• Keep bedroom windows closed at night

Top tips for keeping well this winter:

• Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccine
• Keep a range of basic food and vegetables in the freezer and cupboards (don’t forget your pet food)
• Eat well and regularly. Have at least one hot meal a day and hot drinks throughout the day
• Plan meals in advance during cold weather
• Go to your local pharmacy for help with minor illnesses
• Keep an eye on friends, relatives or neighbours who may be more vulnerable to cold, especially if they suffer from any ongoing medical conditions
• Ensure you have a good supply of all the medication you take each day plus basic cough and cold remedies
• Travel safely and stay connected – let people know where you’re going and plan your journey in advance

Money advice: cost of living

We know more and more people are feeling the pressure from the increasing cost of living. If you’re struggling financially or concerned about the future, getting help early can make a big difference.

If you are on a low or income and are struggling to pay bills, there are money and debt advice agencies who might be able to help.

You might get extra help if you’re a carer, have disabilities, or are responsible for a child or young person. Have a look at the free money and debt advice agencies [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/homepage/1867/money] who are on hand to help to see if you could benefit from any type of support.

If you’re over the state pension age (66) and on a low income, you could be entitled to Pension Credit which gives you extra money to help with living costs. Call the Pension Credit claims line on 0800 991 234 [tel:0800991234] available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Visit our cost of living pages [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/costofliving] for more helpful information on a range of support available.

Safety and security: staying safe through the colder months

Feeling safe at home

The dark cold nights can encourage bogus callers to target older and vulnerable people. Distraction burglaries often increase during winter, particularly around Christmas. Older people, in particular, are often targeted by scammers, in their homes.

If you have elderly neighbours, check in with them if you notice anything suspicious taking place.

If you or someone you know may have been a victim of doorstep crime or rouge traders, our Business Compliance Team [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/trading-standards] are on hand to help.

Weather forecast

Check the weather forecast [https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/] and follow our social media channels for updates on any services affected by bad weather.

You can also check for any nearby flooding or flood alerts. [https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/]

Winter driving

Driving in the winter is very different than in other times of the year. Make sure your vehicle is weather ready – check tyre treads, screen wash, have a blanket and torch in the car and check your route before you leave.

Battery and electrics

• Batteries rarely last longer than five years. Replacing them near the end of their life can save a lot of time and inconvenience at the side of the road.
• Avoid running car electrics any longer than necessary. Turn the heater fan down and switch the heated rear window off once windows are clear.
• When you're starting up the car ensure that non-essentials, like lights, rear screen heater and wipers are turned off.

Anti-freeze

• Anti-freeze costs only a few pounds but a cracked engine block will cost hundreds of pounds to repair.
• The majority of modern cars use long-life antifreeze. If you're not sure what type of antifreeze is in your car, take it to a dealer.
• A 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water in the cooling system is needed in winter.

Vision

• Through the winter months dazzle from the low sun can be a particular problem.
• Improve vision significantly by making sure that the windscreen is clean - inside and out.
• Use air-conditioning for faster demisting and to reduce condensation on cold windows.
• Check windscreen wipers and replace if necessary.
• Make sure that wipers are switched off when leaving the car where there's risk of freezing.
• Windscreen washer fluid should be checked and topped up when necessary.
• Clear snow from the roof as well as from windows.

Visibility

• Check that all bulbs are working and that headlights are clean and aimed correctly.
• You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced. You may also use front or rear fog lights but these must be switched off when visibility improves.
• Keep the number plates clean too as you can be fined if they are dirty and illegible.

Tyres

• Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth. At least 3mm of tread is recommended for winter motoring and certainly no less than 2mm.
• It's rare to need snow chains unless you live in an isolated area hit with heavy snow and where the roads are not cleared. Have a look at our gritting routes [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/493/gritting] to check where you live, or the roads you use will be gritted.
• Consider changing to winter tyres. These give a better grip in cold, wet conditions.

Preparing to travel

• Get up at least ten minutes early to give you time to prepare your car.
• Clear all windows of snow and ice using a scraper and de-icer.
• As well as an ice scraper and de-icer, it's worth carrying other items. These could include a mobile phone with fully charged battery, torch, First Aid kit, blankets, warm coat and shoes, jump leads, warning triangle and bottles of water.
• Plan routes to favour major roads which are more likely to have been gritted [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/493/gritting].
• Put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in!

Driving in snow and ice

• Stopping distances are ten times longer in ice and snow.
• Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving.
• Wear comfortable and dry shoes.
• Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.
• Try to maintain a constant speed. Choosing the most suitable gear in advance to avoid having to change down while climbing a hill.
• Always apply brakes gently. Release them and de-clutch if the car skids.

Looking after your health: staying healthy and happy

Your NHS

Cold weather can be bad for our health, particularly if you have an underlying health condition. Make sure you seek advice quickly to keep well this winter. Useful information and advice is available on staying well over winter through the NHS [https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/]. You can contact your local pharmacy for minor ailments, see your doctor, go to NHS 111 Online [https://111.nhs.uk/] or call 111. If it's an emergency call 999.

Vaccinations

Flu can be serious. If you can have a free vaccine, it's because you need it.

You can get both the NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you:

• are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
• have certain health conditions
• are pregnant
• are a frontline health or social care worker
• live in a care home for older adults

Find out how to book yours. [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/book-flu-vaccination/]

Mental health

Changes to our lives, such as loneliness and worries about health and finances, can have a big impact on our mental wellbeing.

If you are worried about your mental health and want to find out what support is available in Coventry, visit our Mental health and wellbeing webpage [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/mental-health].

For Urgent Mental Health Support call NHS 111 [http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/NHS-111.aspx].

Stay connected: staying less lonely and isolated over winter

The winter months can be long and lonely for many people. This is especially true for older people or those with a disability or long-term health condition. This is why it is important to check in on others and ensure they are warm and safe this winter.

#CovConnects

Staying connected is vital to accessing services, support and staying connected with others.

Coventry City Council has signed up with the National Databank to help distribute free data to residents who are struggling to afford to keep connected.

Find out if you’re eligible and how to access free data. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/connectivity-devices/3]

Warm welcome

This winter there are lots of places all over Coventry that are free to call in to throughout the day where you can find a warm welcome as well as access information, take part in activities, or connect with other support. Find your nearest venue [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/costofliving].