Warm homes, healthy people

Need a helping hand in bad weather?

If family, friends or neighbours can't help you this winter, Helping Hands and Age UK Salford can.

They will help you keep warm and well with free practical help, advice and support. If you are worried about coping in bad weather, call Helping Hands now 0161 793 9419.

If boilers break down, they will be able to arrange for a heating engineer to call out to check the boiler. There will be staff and volunteers on the ground working in neighbourhoods so that there is a quick response if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

You can get in touch by phoning 0161 793 9419.

An adult walking on an icy footpath During very cold weather, you need to keep yourself warm and well by following some simple guidelines.

Preparing for snow and cold weather

Stock up on basics - longlife milk, food that you can heat up easily, matches if you need to light a fire or gas cooker
Ask your pharmacist what medication to keep at home, so that you are stocked up if you fall ill this winter
Have your flu jab
Make sure to keep your home warm enough
Speak to relatives, friends or neighbours and ask them to check up on you
Keep in touch with people - you might want to join our Older people in Salford Facebook page
Make sure your electric blanket is safe
If it gets icy, don't go out unless absolutely necessary

Don't hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, neighbours or Helping Hands if you need it!

Keeping warm at home

Keep curtains drawn and doors closed to block out draughts
Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day
Wear several light layers of warm clothes (rather than one chunky layer)
Keep as active as possible

During the day you should:

Heat your main living room to around 18°C to 21°C (64°F to 70°F) and the rest of the house to at least 16°C (61°F)
Heat all the rooms you use in the day
Heat your bedroom before going to bed
Set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed. In very cold weather set the heating to come on earlier

During the night you should:

Keep the temperature above 18°C (65°F) in your bedroom
Open the window or door a little at night for ventilation (if you use a fire or heater in your bedroom)
Use an electric blanket or a hot water bottle in bed. You should never use them together

Many people will be eligible for help with extra heating costs. There is advice about the help available further down the page.

Improve your home's insulation and draught proofing - advice and grants are available on telephone 0161 793 2264.

Going outside

If you need to go outside:

Take extra care and wear boots or shoes with good non-slip soles
Don't use hot water to clear paths - use salt, grit or sand
Wrap up with extra layers

If you go outside a lot, think about buying ‘anti-slip' grippers which you attach to your shoes.

Help with heating costs

Winter Fuel Payments are made every winter to people over 60, regardless of the temperature. If you are not getting a winter fuel payment, telephone 0845 9 15 15 15.

If you get Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) you may be able to get Cold Weather Payments when the weather is particularly cold for seven days or more.

Pension Credit
If you are in receipt of Pension Credit, you will usually receive Cold Weather Payments.

Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
If you are in receipt of Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you will usually receive Cold Weather Payments if you also have any of following:

A disability or pensioner premium
A child who is disabled
Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
A child under five living with you

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you are in receipt of Income-related ESA, you will usually receive Cold Weather Payments if you also have any of the following:

The support or work-related component of ESA
A severe or enhanced disability premium
A pensioner premium
A child who is disabled
Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
A child under five living with you

Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but have not had one.

If you are still finding it difficult, speak to your energy supplier.

Checking your benefits

Many people are not claiming all the benefits they are entitled to. Contact the Welfare Rights service on 0800 345 7375 to find out if you are entitled to more than you are currently getting.

Flu jabs

If you are aged over 65, have a long-term medical condition, are pregnant or are a carer, you are advised to have a flu jab. Speak to your GP about this.