Keep Safe and Healthy During the Winter Months

Hailsham Town Council has issued some guidance to residents on how to stay healthy and warm during the colder winter months, along with information on who is responsible for what locally.

KEEPING WARM AT HOME AND HEALTHY DURING WINTER

Who’s most at risk from colder weather?

Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of colder weather during the winter months, including:

• people aged 65 or above
• babies and children under the age of 5
• people on a low income (who may not be able to afford heating)
• people who have a long-term/underlying health condition
• people with a disability
• pregnant women
• people who have a mental health condition

Seek advice if you feel unwell

If you are 65 or over, or in one of the other at-risk groups, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as you feel unwell.

You can obtain help and advice from:

• a pharmacy – pharmacists can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor
• your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to
• NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do

Get a flu vaccine

Influenza, or the flu, will often get better on its own, but it can cause serious illness among older and more vulnerable people. Therefore, it is important to get the flu vaccine if you’re advised to.

Information on the flu vaccine can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/ If you are aged 65 or over, you are also eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine, which will help protect you from pneumonia.

Keep your home warm

Follow these tips to help keep you and your family in good health at home:

• Heat your home to at least 18°C if you are 65+ or have an underlying health condition
• Use a hot water bottle or electric blanket on cold nights – but never both together
• Eat at least one hot meal a day
• Drink hot drinks regularly
• Draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to block draughts
• Have your heating system checked regularly by a qualified professional

Free ‘Warm Home Check’ service

East Sussex County Council provides a free ‘Warm Home Check’ Service for low-income households who own or privately rent their property.

You may qualify if you are on a low income and are:

• An older person
• A family with children
• A disabled person
• Someone with a long‑term health condition

The Warm Home Check includes:

• A full assessment of your home and how best to keep it warm
• Small preventative works, such as improving insulation or repairing boilers
• Emergency temporary heating
• Advice on getting help with the cost of heating your home

It is quick and easy to self-refer online for a Warm Home check . Alternatively, text WARM to 81400 or Call 03444 111 444.

KEEPING SAFE WHEN OUTSIDE DURING WINTER

Colder winter conditions bring with it potential hazards such as snow and ice, therefore the Town Council is urging residents to take extra care when out and about at this time of year.

There are lots of people involved in keeping the town and its roads and footpaths as accessible and safe as possible in winter.

General hints and tips

• Check weather updates before leaving home
• Don’t assume roads or pavements have been gritted
• Allow extra time for journeys
• Dress appropriately and keep extra warm clothing in your car
• Wear sensible footwear if walking or cycling
• Check public transport updates for delays or cancellations

Who does what?

East Sussex County Council (ESCC)

• Responsible for highway winter services, including gritting most local roads
• Operates primary and secondary gritting routes
• Provides a 24/7 gritting service based on weather forecasts and road temperatures

More information: https://www.eastsussexhighways.com/our-services/winter-service

Wealden District Council (WDC)

• Responsible for keeping the town clean and tidy, including clearing fallen leaves
• Provides precautionary salting and gritting in WDC car parks and some pavements during severe weather

Hailsham Town Council (HTC)

• Looks after most parks and green spaces
• Prioritises key paths and routes in winter
• Supports ESCC and WDC during periods of severe weather when priorities shift

MESSAGE FROM THE HAILSHAM TOWN CLERK, JOHN HARRISON

“Colder temperatures and adverse weather conditions bring with it a number of health risks and can make fighting infection more difficult, particularly among older adults and other vulnerable groups.

It is important to remember that the majority of winter-related illnesses here occur at temperatures that may be considered quite mild and well before my might see frost or ice. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to check whether older and more vulnerable people you know or care for are able to keep their homes warm and to keep checking even when temperatures remain mild.

Bad weather during the winter months can also make some people more susceptible to accidents such as slips and falls. Add to that, it can become increasingly difficult for the elderly or those with underlying conditions to collect medicines or shop for food.

For this reason, we are publishing useful information that can help better prepare people in the local community for the winter climate and adverse weather conditions.

This winter, we face significant additional problems associated with the current cost-of-living crisis and difficulty heating homes due to the rising cost if energy bills. Local community groups and voluntary associations have always been quick to respond to the needs of the people of our town.”