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Protecting yourself against the cold is important, whatever your age, but it is particularly important if you are an older person, disabled, or have a long term condition (for example heart, lung or kidney disease).  A drop in body temperature contributes to these deaths by thickening the blood and restricting circulation.  There is also an increased risk of injury from falls, and people are more prone to seasonal illnesses like flu.

Although cold weather is a factor in excess deaths, Scandinavian countries for example do not have the same pattern of winter deaths, giving a strong indication that this is preventable.

The Department of Health’s annual Keep Warm Keep Well campaign aims to reduce the number of cold-related illnesses and deaths each winter. However, there are lots of simple things you can do to help keep yourself and your family warm and protected against the cold:

• Help is available in extreme weather in the York area, click here for more information. Volunteers are needed to help in bad weather - click here

• Keep your home warm (see Fuel Poverty section for information).

• Improve your insulation and draught proofing and keep your house well heated (see Hotspots).

• Wrap up warm, inside and out.  Several thin layers are better than one thick layer.

• Wear a hat (up to half of body heat is lost through the head) and shoes that will grip in slippery conditions.

• Book an appointment with your GP to get a flu vaccination. It is free of charge to everyone aged 65 or over and those in 'at risk' groups. 'At risk' includes those who have serious respiratory conditions (including asthma), diabetes, a serious heart, liver or kidney condition, or have a lowered immunity due to disease or treatment.

• Watch what you eat.  A healthy diet will reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity and some cancers.  Hot drinks will give you warmth and energy.

• Keep active.  Avoid sitting down for long periods.  Even light exercise will increase your appetite and reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Stop smoking. You're never too old to quit and the benefits are numerous.  Call the NHS Stop Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 or contact North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service on 0300 303 1603.

Please see the Winter Health Factsheet and Health and Affordable Warmth Factsheet for more information.