Keeping warm, healthy and safe in cold weather

• Better heating and insulation: you can get a grant to make your home more energy efficient and improve your heating. The Mayor’s Warmer Homes programme offers homeowners and private tenants grants for heating and insulation.
• Check your benefit entitlement: make sure you claim all benefits you’re entitled to before winter sets in. See the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out more.
• Get a discount on your energy bill: if you receive certain benefits, you may be able to get the £150 Warm Home Discount.
• Join the Priority Services Register: if you're eligible to join and your gas, electricity or water supply is cut off, your suppliers will know you need extra support
  • UK Power Networks (most of London)
  • Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (part of west London)
  • Water suppliers.
• Seek advice: Energy Advice London is a new service, funded by the Mayor and delivered by Energy Saving Trust, for all Londoners worried about their energy bills or wanting to reduce their energy usage.
  Start saving on your energy bills today with advice on reducing energy and water use, keeping warm at home, making energy efficiency upgrades, accessing financial support, installing renewable energy systems and more.
  People who need the most support can also get in-home energy advice from local partners, including support to deal with energy debt. Use our handy directory of services to find support in your local area.
  To find out more, visit Energy Advice London, or call 0808 196 8260.

Public Health England offer the following advice to help you take care of yourself and others who may need extra care.

Get a flu jab

• Contact your GP or pharmacist if you think you, or someone you care for, might qualify for a free flu jab.
• Free flu vaccinations are available for those who are at risk. For a full list see the annual flu plan.

Stay warm at home

• Heat your home to at least 18°C and wear suitable clothing.
• Get your heating system and cooking appliances checked. Make sure you ventilate your home. If you don’t have gas or electric heating, make sure you have fuel.
• Only use your electric blanket as instructed and get it tested every three years.
• Never use a hot water bottle with an electric blanket.
• Don’t heat your home with a gas cooker or oven. It’s not only inefficient, it could put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and this can kill.

Keep the heat in

• Fit draught proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors.
• Make sure you have loft insulation to a minimum depth of 25cm. If you have cavity walls, make sure they’re insulated too.
• Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes and check for leaks.
• Draw your curtains at dusk to help keep heat inside your rooms.
• Don’t cover or obstruct your radiators.

Look after yourself

• Food gives you energy and helps to keep your body warm so have plenty of hot food and drinks.
• Have at least five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. Stock up on tinned and frozen veg so you don’t have to go out too much when it’s cold and icy. They also count towards your five a day.
• If possible, try to move around at least once an hour. If you’re unfit, talk to your GP before starting any exercise plans.
• Wear lots of thin layers – clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres are good at keeping in the heat.
• Make sure you have spare medication in case you can’t go out.
• Stay up to date with London’s weather via the Met Office.