'Keep warm' advice for pensioners

PENSIONERS have been warned by health bosses in Sheffield to keep warm during the increasingly cold weather.

As the weather becomes colder, people are more likely to catch colds or flu and if body temperature drops then the risks of a heart attack, stroke or breathing difficulties increase. Those most at risk of becoming ill are the elderly, people with a chronic disease, or people with a physical disability.

Kath Horner, public health lead for fuel poverty at NHS Sheffield, said: "Telling people to keep warm during the winter months sounds very obvious, but every year cold and wintry conditions are responsible for severe illnesses and, in the worst cases, death.

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"There are lots of obvious ways of staying healthy and keeping warm such as heating your home to the optimum temperature of 18 to 21 degrees, eating well and keeping active.

"However, in Sheffield we have lots of initiatives in place that also aid people keeping healthy in winter, including the free insulation scheme run by Sheffield Council.

"Anyone who may have trouble keeping warm this winter should contact the Home Heat Helpline free on 0800 336699. Trained advisers are there to help."

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