Preparing for the winter (including flu vaccinations)
Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you are 65 or older, or if you have a long-term health condition. There are several things you can do, however, to keep you and your family well this winter.
Get your flu jab
Helping to protect against flu is particularly important with COVID-19 in circulation because people vulnerable to COVID-19 are also at risk of complications from flu. If you’re aged 65 or over, or if you have a long-term health condition you should have the flu jab. You can get the vaccine via your GP practice or at many local pharmacies.
Find out more: NHS - Flu vaccine (external link)
Keep warm
Follow these tips to keep you and your family warm and well at home:
- if you're not very mobile, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease, heat your home to at least 18°C
- keep your bedroom at 18°C all night if you can – and keep the bedroom window closed
- use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed, but do not use both at the same time
- have at least 1 hot meal a day - eating regularly helps keep you warm
- have hot drinks regularly
- draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to block out draughts
- get your heating system checked regularly by a qualified professional
You may be able to claim financial and practical help with heating your home. Visit GOV.UK for more information:
See also: Helping you stay warm and well
Shine London
Haringey has partnered with SHINE London to provide a one-stop referral service to help low income and vulnerable residents keep their homes warm in the winter. See Helping you stay warm and well for more information about Shine London and other support available to make homes energy efficient, improve heating or to get help with bills.
Warm Spaces
Haringey Warm Welcome is a growing network of inclusive, warm and welcoming spaces across Haringey that are run by local businesses, organisations, and places of worship.
We know that some residents may be finding it hard to keep their homes warm due to rising energy costs, so these spaces provide a warm, safe place for residents to go, meet new people, get some refreshments and take part in fun activities.
Support for people rough sleeping in times of severe weather
Haringey has a severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) that is triggered during periods of severe weather, providing shelter to people that are rough sleeping in Haringey.
SWEP will be activated during days of severe weather which include but are not limited to:
- when the Met Office forecasts a temperature drop of zero degrees celsius or below
- where there is heavy or prolonged rainfall that presents a flood risk
- where there are gale-force winds that increase the risk of uprooted trees and falling debris
Access to the provision is via the outreach team. If you are concerned about someone who is sleeping rough during severe weather, please refer them to Streetlink (external link).
In Haringey, cold-weather SWEP provision will be within existing supported housing services. Organisations and services work creatively to provide emergency accommodation. Due to the unplanned and short-term nature of the provision, this will be in the form of camp beds, mattresses or chairs which may be within communal spaces or spare rooms.
Other help and support
As the cost of living continues to rise, we want to make sure all Haringey residents get the help and support available to them. On our Haringey, Here to Help pages you will find information about the services available to help you through this difficult time and beyond.