London Borough of Croydon

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Keeping warm in winter

More people fall ill in the winter months than in the summer. The main reason for this is the cold. Keeping warm, therefore, is very important.

The recommended temperature for all rooms is 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit), but you may be comfortable at a higher temperature. If the temperature is below 16 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit), you are at risk of hypothermia, heart attack and stroke. Keep a thermometer to check the room temperature in your home.

Other things you can do to stay healthy in the winter months:

  • Have regular hot meals and drinks.
  • Avoid sitting down for long periods at a time - get up every now and again and do some simple exercise to keep your circulation going. 
  • Stock up on basic foods and medicines, so you don't have to go out if the weather is very cold.
  • Wrap up indoors and out. Wear warm clothing in bed and use a hot water bottle.
  • Get a flu jab. Vaccination is free to the over-65s.

Keeping your home warm

The most important areas to keep warm are the ones you spend most time in - usually the living room and bedroom. If heating bills are a great problem, consider living and sleeping in one room during the coldest time of the year. 

Help is available both with heating bills and, if you are a homeowner, with insulating your home The following grants are available:

  • Cold weather payment of £200 per household from the Government. If  you were 60 before 20th September, you are entitled to it. Call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline.
  • Coldbusters grant scheme for energy efficient heating and insulation measures  - call the helpline to find out if you are eligible.
  • HouseProud scheme. This enables people to take out a loan against their house to carry out improvements, including insulation measures. The council-supported scheme guarantees that the property will not be repossessed under any circumstances.

Contact Details

Contact name
Social Services for Adults
Telephone
020 8726 6500
Minicom
020 8760 5797
Email
Referral.team2@croydon.gov.uk
Address
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 3JS
Contact name
Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
Telephone
020 8683 6633
Email
enquiries@cen.org.uk
Address
Croydon Energy Network
Ambassador House
Brigstock Road
Thornton Heath
Croydon CR7 7JG
Contact name
Age Concern Croydon
Telephone
020 8680 5450
Fax
020 8288 9229
Email
acc@ageconcerncroydon.org.uk
Address
158-162 London Road
Croydon CR0 2TD
Website
www.ageconcerncroydon.org.uk
Contact name
Winter Fuel Payment Helpline
Telephone
08459 151515 local rate
Typetalk
08456 015613
Website
www.dwp.gov.uk
Contact name
Energy Saving Trust
Telephone
Helpline 0800 915 7722
Website
www.est.org.uk/myhome
Contact name
Coldbusters - Energy Grants
Telephone
0800 358 66 68
Website
www.cen.org.uk/energy_efficiency/coldbusters.asp
Contact name
NHS Winter Warmth Advice Line
Telephone
0800 085 7000

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