COLD WEATHER WARNING TO ELDERLY
February 3, 2009 2:28 PM
Solihull's MP Lorely Burt has called on constituents to take extra care to ensure that elderly friends, family and neighbours are warm and safe during the current snowy and freezing weather conditions.
"According to the Meteorological Office, the current snow event is the worst for eighteen years, and that has health and safety implications for us all, but particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those suffering from heart or chest problems. People over the age of 75 are particularly at risk because they may not sense they are getting cold until their body temperature falls," said Lorely.
"Keeping warm and keeping well is absolutely vital for older people during the cold winter weather. Heart, circulation and respiratory problems are far more prevalent during freezing conditions, and there is also a far greater likelihood of injury through falling.
"However there are simple measures that should help us all to stay healthier this winter. Keep warm at all times even when it appears mild outdoors - allowing your hands and feet to get cold can cause problems with your circulation. During the cold weather bedroom windows should remain closed. Wear adequate clothing and keep moving whether inside or outside -several layers of thin clothes may be more effective than one thick one. If you are older, make sure you get a flu jab.
"We should all check on elderly relatives or neighbours living alone. Just a phone call or a visit to the shops for an elderly person could make all the difference and avoid the likelihood of a serious fall with ice and snow underfoot."
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