Cold Weather
Keep Yourself Safe
How Will Climate Change Cause Deep Freeze Events in the UK?
When people think of climate change they often think of global warming; the warming of global temperatures. However, climate change can also cause periods of unusually cold weather.
Weather patterns are driven by global weather systems and complex ocean currents, which are affected by global temperatures. The Gulf Stream is a strong ocean current that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico north-eastwards across the Atlantic Ocean towards the British Isles. This keeps the UK warmer than other countries at a similar latitude.
As global temperatures rise, the Gulf Stream becomes more unstable and may move away from the UK. This could mean that we would experience similar winter conditions to those in parts of Canada and Norway!!
How Does Cold Weather Affect Our Health?
Cold weather poses health risks, particularly to older people because as we get older our it takes our bodies longer to warm up.
Exposure to cold increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Cold weather worsens joint conditions like arthritis, causing pain and mobility issues. It can also cause issues with asthma and other lung conditions. The cold weather can bring hazards too like ice and snow, increasing the risk of slips, trips and falls.
If someone gets too cold, they can develop "hypothermia", which is a medical emergency. This happens when the body temperature falls below 35C and cannot warm up again.
Symptoms of hypothermia include:
• Pale or blue skin discolouration
• Slurred speech, tiredness, and confusion
• People with severe hypothermia can lose temperature perception and not realise how cold they really are.
How to Manage Hypothermia
Hypothermia can be a life-threatening emergency. If you think someone has hypothermia you should call 999 to seek immediate medical help. While waiting for help to arrive you should ensure someone stays with them and helps them to warm up slowly.
The NHS website advises bringing them somewhere warm and sheltered, wrapping them in warm clothing and blankets and giving them warm non-alcoholic drinks are all helpful measures. You should not place the person in a hot bath or give them alcoholic drinks.
Keep Yourself Safe in Cold Weather
You can take steps to keep warm and protect yourself in cold weather to reduce the chance of negative health effects and accidents.
• Prioritise heating people over property. In the cost of living crisis, people might be concerned about affording heating bills. If that is the case, focus on heating one or two rooms and use electric blankets and hot water bottles to keep yourself warm more affordably.
• Keep your home warm. Taking steps such as getting regular boiler and heating system checks and draft-proofing your home can help you keep your home warm. You should aim for a temperature of around 18-21C to prevent spending too much on energy bills.
• Check in on your neighbours, friends and family. Older people in particular may be concerned about the cost-of-living crisis and not be keeping themselves
• Reduce the need to go out in cold weather. If a weather warning is issued you should go out early to ensure you have food and other essentials at home.
• Manage your outside space. Investing in a snow shovel and grit or sand can help you keep paths and driveways clear in the snow and ice and reduce the chance of slips and falls.
• Travel safely. If you must go out in winter weather you should take emergency supplies in your car. This includes warm clothes and blankets, a hot drink, food, water, a snow shovel, a torch, batteries, boots and a first aid kit. You should make sure someone knows where you are going and charge your mobile devices before you leave. You should not rely on your car having power and heating, for example, if your car breaks down or if you become stuck.