Staying warm this winter
The warmth of summer is behind us, winters’ closing in. Darker nights are looming, with temperatures starting to dip, it’s important to keep warm and stay healthy to fight off viruses and infections.
You’re at a greater risk of illness during the cold weather if you:
- Are over 65 years of age
- Have a disability
- Suffer a long-term health condition or disease (heart, lung, kidney or liver disease)
- On a low income or in receipt of benefits
Here are some money-saving ideas for you to consider, that can support you through the winter months with the crippling energy crisis ahead.
#1 – FEET UP – REEP THE BENEFITS!
By taking a rest and putting your feet up, elevating your legs for 20 minutes twice a day, will improve your circulation, reduce swelling and relieve muscle tension.
The floor can be the coldest part of the house, raising your feet off the floor, onto a stool or pouffe, will help you stay a little bit warmer this winter.
Feet still cold? Throughout the day your socks could have absorbed sweat making them damp, swap them for a fresh, dry pair.
#2 – LAYERING OF CLOTHES
Wearing several thin layers is better than one thick layer. By adding more layers between you and the environment will help to trap air, acting as insulation, keeping you warm. All your layers should be breathable for the layering system to work.
- Layer one – Base layer
Your skin must stay dry by wearing merino wool or cheaper alternatives like synthetic fibers: polyester and nylon – these fabrics will lock in heat and wick away any sweat to the surface of the garment. Avoid wearing cotton clothing, as this traps moisture lowering the body temperature.
- Layer two – Mid Layer
This layer is about retaining heat, therefore pick fabrics made of wool, down or fleece.
- Layer three – Outer layer
This outer layer of coats and jackets, ensure they are waterproof and breathable protecting you from the harsh elements like wind, rain and snow.
Don’t underestimate the power of accessories – your head, hands, and feet are the first to feel the cold. Wearing a hat, scarf, gloves, and wool socks, will stop the heat from escaping.
#3 – BEDDING
During the colder months when temperatures begin to plummet swap your lightweight summer duvet for a higher rate tog, anything above 13.5 tog will keep you toasty
#4 – LAYERING OF SOFT FURNISHINGS
Don’t warm up the whole room. Focus on keeping yourself warm by using throws, bedspreads, cosy pyjamas and dressing gowns. Keeping warm can aid in a better night’s sleep.
Other recommendations:
- Electric Blankets – most have an auto-off feature, you don’t need to worry about it running all night when you fall asleep.
- Sleeping Bags – you don’t need to be camping to use one! They trap the air creating a warm cocoon.
- Hot Water Bottles – choosing a bottle with a thicker cover, will trap heat, remaining warm all night. A thicker cover also protects you from burns.
#5 – MAKING A HOT MEAL OR DRINK
Cooking is an activity that not only keeps you warm whilst preparing your hot meal or drink, but once consumed it continues to keep you warm by raising your core temperature from the inside.
Limit cooking that gives off steam – this creates humidity especially in the winter months when it can make your house feel damp and cold. Once finished cooking, turn the oven off leaving its door open, this allows the hot air to escape, heating up the room.
#6 – EXERCISE
It may be hard getting off the sofa from under your blankets, however exercising improves your physical well-being, mental and emotional health and produces body heat. It’s important to keep your body moving every hour by walking room to room, yoga, stretching or chair/bed exercises.
Some people experience frailty as they age, thus making it difficult to exercise. If you’re worried about having a fall, accident or medical emergency, by having a Personal Alarm with fall detection and 24-hour Monitoring Service, will provide the safety, security and confidence you may need, to enjoy life independently for longer. Click on the link below
#7 – SMALL CHANGES CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
- Daytime – when the sun is shining keep your curtains open, this allows the rays to warm up the room
- Night-time – closing your curtains at night traps the air inside the room, keeping your home warmer
- Close off any unused rooms
- Drafts seeping out of electrical sockets – block them with outlet insulators
- Use draft excluders – these block draughts from under closed doors – Make your own with this FREE sewing pattern
- If you have an unused chimney, block it up
#8 – GET “OUT AND ABOUT”
Venture out, and take advantage of other warmer locations heated at no cost to yourself!
Visit a Library, Bookstore, Community Centre, Church, Leisure Centre or pop to see a family or friend.
#9 – PHYSICS
Hot air rises and cold air sinks, if you have multiple levels to your home, spend more time upstairs. Draught-proof your loft hatch with foam strips to stop heat from escaping into the loft.
#10 – STAYING HEALTHY
Cold weather can make health problems worse, a flu jab reduces the risk of serious illness or hospitalisation. If you are 65 or older, protect your health by visiting your GP practice or local pharmacy to get your free flu vaccine.
Worried about heating bills pilling up – Get financial support
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Easy to set up and ready to use straight out of the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not quite sure if this is the product for you? Full of questions? Perhaps, we can put your mind at rest with our answers below.
- GPS Smart Tracker SOS Personal Alarm
- Lanyard
- Wrist Strap
- Charging station
- USB cable
- Three pin plug
- Instruction manual
The SOS Personal is discreet and lightweight – weight 35 grams. It can be worn as a pendant or with a wrist strap.
The Lifeline Personal Alarm waterproof level is IPX5. It can be worn in the shower or the rain, suitable for use in high-risk areas such as the bathroom. It is not to be submerged directly into water by either taking a bath or swimming.
The Lifeline Personal Alarm uses mobile phone networks to ensure your always connected. The device is ready to use straight from the box. A landline or internet connection is not required.
The Lifeline Personal Alarm has a lithium battery which is rechargeable and cannot be overcharged. A full battery will operate up to 48-72 hours (2-3 days) depending on usage. Our recommendation is to charge the Lifeline Personal Alarm as part of your daily routine, eliminating the risk of the battery becoming flat.
The Lifeline Personal Alarm has a multi-network SIM card which attaches to the strongest available network, unlike a mobile phone that only operates off a single network provider. With the multi-network SIM, you have the added security knowing that if one network is down or an outage occurs, the multi-network SIM automatically connects to the next available network. The Lifeline Personal Alarm also features a microphone and speaker, enabling you to always speak and listen directly through the device, whilst at home, in the garden or when “out and about”.
24-hour Monitoring Service
24-hour Monitoring Service enables the Lifeline Personal Alarm to be used anywhere in the UK and EU countries, always providing you with reassurance when travelling or on holiday.
Family and Friends Monitoring
Family and Friends Monitoring provides cover anywhere in the UK (EU countries not included).
- Ensure the charging station is plugged into the mains electric.
- Insert the Lifeline Personal Alarm into the charging station, ensuring you hear it CLICK into place, vibrate and a red LED light appears on the front of the charging station.
- Charge the Lifeline Personal Alarm daily.
From a flat battery the charging time is approximately 4 to 5 hours. It’s recommended that charging is carried out overnight by your bedside, kept within easy reach should an emergency arise.
If the Lifeline Personal Alarm has not been worn daily and has remained in the charging station for 24 hours or more, it MUST be removed from the charging station and re-inserted ensuring you hear it CLICK, vibrate and the red LED light appears on the charging station, for the device to regain a full battery.
NB, when the Lifeline Personal Alarm is fully charged, the red LED light will disappear on the charging station and charging ceases. The SOS Pendant Alarm will now use the charge held in the device and the battery will slowly drain over time, even whilst sat in the charging station. The Lifeline Personal Alarm is unable to automatically re-start the process of charging when the battery is low or empty, when sat in the charging station. It requires the user to remove the device from the charging station and re-insert to start the charging process to obtain a full battery.
The blue and green lights will flash intermittently indicating the Lifeline Personal Alarm is connected to the mobile network and has battery life.
The blue light flashing every second indicates the battery is below 20% and needs charging by inserting into the charging station. While the device is charging, the blue light will remain solid (not flashing).
Yes, the Lifeline Personal Alarm meets the European standards and will not affect your pacemaker working.
The Lifeline Personal Alarm is designed to wear around the neck with the lanyard cord or by inserting into the wrist strap, whichever you feel most comfortable with.
To ensure your safety and security at all times, it’s recommended you wear the Lifeline Personal Alarm throughout the day. This protects you at home, when showering or “out and about”.
Wear the Personal Alarm from the moment you wake up until the time you retire to bed. By charging the Lifeline Personal Alarm next to your bedside, keeps it within easy reach should you need assistance during the night.
If you accidently trigger a false alert on your Lifeline Personal Alarm, a notification is automatically sent to either of the below services.
24-hour Monitoring Service
The 24-hour Monitoring Centre will contact you via the Lifeline Personal Alarm to check your wellbeing and requirement for assistance. Advise them it was a false alarm and continue to wear your Lifeline Personal Alarm.
Family and Friends Monitoring
All 3 chosen Emergency Contacts will receive an SMS text message alerting them to your need of assistance with a link of your current GPS location. Emergency Contact 1 will receive a telephone call from your SOS Pendant Alarm, allowing you to speak through the device directly with them. Should Emergency Contact 1 not answer it will automatically call Emergency Contact 2 and repeat to Emergency Contact 3.
Advise them it was a false alarm.
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Good advice for us oldies
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