Hypothermia - help avoid winter dangers.
Hypothermia
I am sure that many of us will welcome the opportunity to help vulnerable neighbours to avoid some of this winter’s dangers. Without causing alarm, we would like to increase awareness of the symptoms of hypothermia, and we feel that it is important to encourage older people to claim their full range of benefits, and to spend their winter fuel allowance wisely so that they increase their spending on keeping their homes warm.
Hypothermia is caused when the body’s core temperature falls below 35ºC. The signs and symptoms can be:
• Shivering at first, muscle stiffness as the body gets colder.
• Skin cold to touch and pale in colour.
• Confusion and low response levels, which can lead to unconsciousness.
Generally it is best to wear several layers of thin clothing under a warm jumper as body insulation. Prepare a warm flask of soup or hot beverage and keep this handy to raise body temperature during cold snaps. Try to move around and exercise as much as possible. Keep your phone or piper alarm close to hand. Change any wet clothing as soon as possible. Fit draught-proofing to help seal gaps around windows and doors. Further information about easy exercises you can do while sitting down that will help you to stay warm and mobile is available from the Age Concern Information Line, on 0800 00 99 66.
Other useful Telephone Numbers are:
Warm Front Scheme 0800 072 0151 – for grants to make homes warmer.
Winter Fuel Payment – 08459 15 15 15 for people aged 60 and over.