Check on elderly neighbours during cold snap, urges Bedford Borough Council

With a yellow warning for snow in place, and below freezing temperatures expected for much of this week, Public Health England has issued a cold weather alert until Friday with severe wintry conditions and very cold weather expected to continue.

And Bedford Borough Council is urging everyone to check on any frail or older relatives or neighbours; either by making a call or a socially-distanced doorstep visit if they live close by.

Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems.

Advice from Public Health England includes:

Heating homes to at least 18 Celsius. If people can’t heat all the rooms they use, it’s important to heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before going to sleep

Wearing a few thin layers is better at trapping heat than wearing one thick layer

Plenty of hot food and drinks will help people stay warm

Cllr Charles Royden, portfolio holder for highways, said: “We are seeing unprecedented cold temperatures locally with wind chill making it feel much colder, and road surface temperatures expected to drop to well below freezing.

“If you can do so safely, check in on older or vulnerable relatives and neighbours with a call or socially distanced doorstep visit and make sure they are OK and are staying warm and well.

“We are closely monitoring the weather and our gritting crews are going out to make our roads as safe as possible for those people undertaking essential travel. Everyone is encouraged to stay at home as much as they can.”