Health watchdog advises 'keep heating to at least 18°C'

The advice is to heat your home to at least 18°C during the cold spell Credit: Yui Mok/PA Archive/PA Images

More warnings of snow and ice across the country have led doctors from the nation's health watchdog to issue further advice for people on staying warm at home.

The alert from Public Health England (PHE) asks people to plan ahead. It follows forecasts from the Met office of large parts of southern England being subject to freezing temperatures, significant snowfall and the possibility of frozen rain over the next few days.

Public Health England's Top Tips to cope with the Winter weather:

  • Look out for friends and family who may be vulnerable to the cold and ensure they have access to warm food and drinks and are managing to heat their homes adequately.

  • Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long term illness or are 65 or over.

  • Stay tuned for weather forecasts, ensure you are stocked with food and medications in advance (but avoid stockpiling), arrange deliveries or ask a friend to help.

  • Take weather into account when planning your activity over the coming days.

  • If eligible seek entitlements and benefits such as Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments, which are available to some.

  • If you meet the criteria, register for priority service with your energy and water suppliers.

  • Avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at a higher risk of cold related illness or falls

  • Discuss with friends and neighbours about clearing snow and ice from in front of your house and public walkways nearby.

If you are a twitter user you can follow hashtag #winterready (for message alert levels 0 and 1) and hashtag #weatheraware (alert levels 2 to 4) for winter health advice.

You can check your local weather forecast in the ITV Meridian area by visiting the weather section of our website.