What are the danger signs?

Severe hypothermia requires urgent medical attention and you should call a doctor or nurse if you see any of these signs:        

• Drowsiness, slurred speech or feeling confused 
• Involuntary shivering, unsteady movement, cold hands and feet
• A puffy, cold face
• The body feels cold to touch
• Violent shivering and drowsiness, if body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F)
• Shivering will stop, muscles will become rigid and the pupils will dilate, if body temperature drops below 34°C (92°F) 
• Shallow or erratic breathing and unconsciousness, if body temperature drops below 30°C (86°F) 

What can I do to help?

You can help by moving them to warmer surroundings or slowly increasing the temperature in their home. Don’t use a hot water bottle or place them next to direct heat like a fire. But try and get them moving to increase blood flow.

• Stop heat loss, preserve body heat and provide the body with fuel to help generate heat. It’s essential that body temperature isn’t increased too quickly
• Provide food. Hot liquid such as soup is good
• Don’t let them drink alcohol

Wear the right clothing

• Wrap up warmly when it’s cold
• Several layers of thin clothing are better than one thick layer
• If you can, try and move around.  Any activity will help circulation
• Wear the right clothing to bed and add extra blankets

Insulate and draught proof

• Draught-proofing strips are easy to fit and will help prevent heat loss
• Secondary glazing panels can help prevent heat escaping. Double glazing prevents heat loss from your windows, but a thick curtain can also give further insulation by trapping a layer of air. Heavy curtains also work well on external doors
• If you have radiators beneath your windows, make sure the curtains don’t hang in front of them. Ideally, your curtains should only reach just below the windowsill to allow the heat from the radiators into the room

• If the room is too hot, turn down your heating instead of opening a window

Central heating

• Make sure your central heating is in good working order by having it checked once a year
• Nobody likes waking up in a cold house. You could try setting the timer on your central heating to come on half an  hour before you get up.  But only use the heating when you need it.
• Don’t let the temperature drop below 16°C (61°F). We recommend a room temperature of 18°C (65°F) if you’re active and 21°C (70°F) if you’re less mobile.  You can use our warmth without worry thermometer to check your room temperature.

HEES Grants

If you live in England or Wales, there are two main grants available to you:

• If you receive benefit, are pregnant and have a MAT B1 certificate or have children under 16, you may qualify for a Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) grant
• If you receive benefit and are either over 60, a lone parent family with children under 16, or if you are disabled or chronically ill, you may qualify for a Home Energy Efficiency Plus (HEES Plus) grant.

Warm Deal Grants

If you live in Scotland, the Warm Deal grant may be available to you:

• If you receive benefit, you may qualify for a grant to pay for a package of insulation improvements
• If you don’t receive benefit but are over 60, you may also qualify for a grant for household insulation or improvement.