Keep Warm, Keep Well

Stay warm and healthy this winter

Now the clocks have gone back and temperatures are falling, it's important to make sure you keep warm and avoid getting ill in the winter months.

The Department of Health has produced a guide called Keep Warm Keep Well. It gives useful tips on how to keep healthy and what grants and benefits are available to help with heating costs. Advice includes:

• taking up the offer of a seasonal flu jab

• ways to avoid catching colds

• how to eat healthily in the winter months

• turning off heating in rooms you don't use

• turning down heating slightly

• switching off gadgets, rather than leaving on standby

• using hot water bottles and electric blankets safely.

There's also information about to apply for financial help, such as Cold Weather Payments, the Winter Fuel Allowance and the Warm Front Scheme, which can award grants to insulate your home for free or give you a heating rebate.

For details, or to download a copy of Keep Warm Keep Well, visit the Department of Health at: www.dh.gov.uk.