Weather
Coping with cold weather
Choose waterproof shoes or boots that have a good support and a strong grip
If you cycle, wear bright clothing and always wear a helmet. Be extra careful on icy roads
If you are nervous about making a car journey, arrange to contact friends and relatives by phone to let them know you have arrived safely
Check in on vulnerable neighbours to make sure they have everything they need
At home
Make sure curtains and furniture items don’t block radiators or heaters
Seal draughts with excluders around doors and windows
Always have a good supply of food, water and medicines in the event that you were unable to leave your house
Keeping yourself warm
Try to eat warm meals and drink hot drinks
Regular exercise can generate heat and keep you warm
Wear lots of layers. Thermal clothing can help keep you warm
Coping with damp
Ventilate rooms to remove moisture by making sure to open windows or use an extractor fan
Avoid drying clothes on the radiator – try and use a clothes horse instead
Check you don’t have any leaks from the roof, pipes, window sills or damaged brickwork
Coping with wet weather
Clean your drains regularly to remove blockages and prevent them from overflowing
In the case of flooding, valuable items should be kept upstairs
Always test your car breaks after driving through water
Heat-wave advice
Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
If you do have to leave the house, try and stay in the shade and wear sun screen
Drink plenty of cold drinks and avoid alcohol
Wear loose fitting cotton clothes
Food
Local and sustainable food
- Use independent small shops on your local high street to purchase food
- If you use a supermarket, check food labels and choose food that is produced closest to where you live (or in the UK)
- Try and cook meals from scratch using fresh and local ingredients
- Buy food that has the Fairtrade logo. This means the farmer has been paid a fair wage
Reducing waste
- Only buy what you need
- Plan meals in advance to avoid waste
- Try to buy products that are made from recycled materials
- Sell or give away your unwanted items
Saving energy
To save money on your energy bills, make sure your home is insulated
Use your central heating timer to control when the heating comes on and off. Try and turn off your heating 30 minutes before bed
If you are cold, put another layer on before turning on the heating
Unplug electrical devices and turn off appliances when not in use
If you don’t have a smart meter, make sure to send regular meter readings to your energy provider
Shop around and see if you can save money on your energy bills
Sustainable transport
- Try and walk or cycle to journeys that are under 1 mile
- Join a local walking group – this can improve your fitness level and you might also make some new friends
- If you do need to drive, park a few streets away from where you need to be. This may also ease congestion if you are visiting a busy area
- Use local transport – if you get the bus or train regularly, you can usually buy saver tickets at a discounted rate