Stockport Council is encouraging residents to prepare for cold weather and Kill the Chill this winter as last winter over 31,000 people in England died as a result of cold weather.
However, there are simple things residents can do for themselves and others, as well as ways the Council can help, to keep residents warm and stay healthy this winter.
The advise focusses on four areas;
Look after yourself this winter:
residents can access information about receiving a flu jab, as well as advice about how eating healthily and taking regular exercise can ward off winter illness.
Look after your home this winter:
residents could be eligible for a wide range of financial support and energy efficiency services that could reduce the cost of their energy bills.
Look after others this winter:
winter can be especially difficult for elderly or vulnerable residents, checking in on a neighbour or shovelling snow could save lives. Sign up to NHS Winter Friends at www.nhs.uk to pledge your support.
Be prepared this winter:
keeping up to date on gritting, closures and other winter maintenance issues can help prevent accidents or disruption during bad weather. Residents can sign up to email alerts from the Council.
Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council said,
“The national rise in excess winter deaths is a worrying statistic. The Council has lots of advice and resources available to support vulnerable residents throughout winter as well as information to help residents get prepared for any cold weather we may experience.”
The Council will be working in partnership with the NHS and other public agencies to ensure it tackles the avoidable effects on health during periods of cold weather, as well as responding in a timely way to any disruptions due to excess cold weather.
Further information is available at www.stockport.gov.uk/killthechill
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