Advice on coping with extreme weather

Here are some hints and tips to help keep you healthy and safe during winter freezes and summer heatwaves, along with some other sources of advice and help:

Cold weather

Cold weather can make some health problems worse and can even lead to serious complications, especially if you have a long-term health condition. The NHS and Buckinghamshire Council both have plenty of advice and information on how to stay well.

Remember to check on older friends, relatives and neighbours to make sure they're managing and have everything they need.

When you go outside:

• Layer up - dress in layers of lightweight clothing, as these keep you warmer than a single layer of heavy clothes
• Wear a warm coat, a hat, a scarf, buff or polo neck, and gloves
• Layers are best, but remember to remove them as necessary to stop yourself from overheating or perspiring, which can lead to chills
• Wear shoes or boots with a good grip to prevent slips and falls on wet or icy surfaces
• Slow down when you walk across slippery surfaces - and be especially careful on stairways: use the handrail
• Make sure you eat well and have hot food regularly - you need to eat enough calories to burn for heat generation
• Keep hydrated - this is important for ensuring blood flow to the ends of your arms and legs. You don’t need to drink loads, but drink if you are feeling thirsty. Warm drinks are definitely comforting but don’t in fact affect your core temperature much, or for long
• Cold weather can put extra strain on your body, even if you aren't overexerting yourself. Be sure to pace yourself.

Keeping your home warm

• What to do with frozen or burst pipes - advice from British Gas
• Energy saving tips
• Ideas from B&Q to keep your home warm in winter.

Damp, mould and condensation

Please make sure you tell us as soon as possible if you're concerned about damp, mould or condensation in your home. You’ll need to give us with some details and then we’ll get back to you with some next steps. It’s important that we gather all the right information to make sure we can tackle the problem quickly, so please make yourself a cuppa and allow 10 minutes or so to complete the form:

• Report damp, mould or condensation
• More on damp, mould and condensation, and how you can help prevent it occurring

Hot weather

Although our bodies benefit from sunlight, too much exposure to the sun can damage your skin and cause burning. Our bodies can become overheated during hot weather, which can lead to health problems, so you need to ensure that you're properly protected. The NHS has plenty of advice and information on how to stay well.

When you go outside:

• Wear lightweight or loose-fitting clothes
• Wear a hat to protect your head and neck from burning
• Stay in the shade when possible
• Use a high factor sunscreen - at least SPF30 - on any exposed skin
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

When you're indoors:

• Consider opening windows - but in extreme heat, it can be better to keep windows closed, draw the curtains and use a fan
• Try not to sit in direct sunlight, especially behind glass

Get in touch

If you need help and support, please get in touch with us via the portal and we'll be happy to help.