Cold Weather and Health

Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you are 65 or older, or if you have a long-term health condition.

Who's most at risk from cold weather?

Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather. This includes:

  • people aged 65 and older
  • babies and children under the age of 5
  • people on a low income (so cannot afford heating)
  • people who have a long-term health condition
  • people with a disability
  • pregnant women
  • people who have a mental health condition

Get advice if you feel unwell

If you are 65 or over, or in one of the other at-risk groups, it's important to get medical help as soon as you feel unwell.

You can get help and advice from:

  • a pharmacy – pharmacists can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor
  • your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to
  • NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do

The sooner you get advice, the sooner you are likely to get better.

Get a flu vaccine

Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It's important to get the flu vaccine if you're advised to.

The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It's offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications.

The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn before flu starts spreading. But you can get the vaccine later.

Find out more about the:

If you're 65 or over, you are also eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine, which will help protect you from pneumonia.

Keep your home warm

Follow these tips to keep you and your family warm and well at home:

  • if you're not very mobile, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease, heat your home to at least 18C
  • keep your bedroom at 18C all night if you can – and keep bedroom window closed
  • if you're under 65, healthy and active, you can safely have your home cooler than 18C, as long as you're comfortable
  • use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed – but do not use both at the same time
  • have at least 1 hot meal a day – eating regularly helps keep you warm
  • have hot drinks regularly
  • to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), babies should sleep in rooms heated to between 16C and 20C
  • draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to block out draughts
  • get your heating system checked regularly by a qualified professional

Help with heating costs

You may be able to claim financial and practical help with heating your home. Grants available include the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment.

For more information on how to reduce your bills and make your home more energy efficient, go to the government's Simple Energy Advice website, or call the Simple Energy Advice helpline on 0800 444 202.

You can also find out about heating and housing benefits on GOV.UK.

It's worth claiming all the benefits you're entitled to as soon as winter begins.

Look in on vulnerable neighbours and relatives

Check on older neighbours and relatives, and those with heart or breathing (respiratory) problems, to make sure they:

  • are safe and well
  • are warm enough, especially at night
  • have stocks of food and medicines so they do not need to go out during very cold weather

If you're worried about a relative or elderly neighbour, call the Age UK helpline on 0800 678 1602 (8am to 7pm every day).

If you're concerned the person may have hypothermia, contact NHS 111.

Useful links

Last updated : 17 July 2024

Hot Weather and Health

View current heat-health situations online now.

A heat wave is a period of abnormally hot weather. However when it’s too hot for too long a number of health risks and concerns arise.

High temperatures can be dangerous and sometimes fatal for:

  • elderly people
  • young children and babies
  • people with chronic / long term medical conditions.

The main risks during a heat wave are:

  • dehydration
  • heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Staying safe

There are a number of ways to stay safe during a heat wave.

Please note: do not cool off in open water as this can be extremely dangerous.

  • Stay out of the heat:
    • keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
    • wear light, loose-fitting clothes
    • If you must go out, stay in the shade, wear a hat and apply sun cream.
  • Stay cool:
    • stay inside
    • close curtains in the rooms that get a lot of sun
    • keep windows closed when the room is cooler then outside
    • open the windows then the temperature rises inside
    • open windows at night for ventilation
    • take cool showers or baths and splash your face and back of your neck with cool water regularly
    • listen to alerts on the radio, TV and social media.
  • Drinking regularly:
    • drink regularly even if you do not feel thirsty – water and fruit juice are best
    • avoid tea, coffee and alcohol
    • eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit which contain water.
  • Suncreen and safety: 
  • Sunburn:
    • Try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, when UV radiation is strongest.
    • If you have to go out in the heat, wear UV sunglasses, preferably wraparound, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes. Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 with UVA protection and wear a hat. Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes. This should reduce the risk of sunburn.
    • Visit the UKHSA YouTube Account to watch The Dangers of UV on our Health video.
  • Check on others:
    • Check on older people or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during hot weather.
  • Stay hydrated:
    • Stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
    • If you need to travel, ensure you take water with you.
  • Physical activity:
    • Avoid extreme physical exertion. If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity, such as sport, DIY or gardening, keep it for cooler parts of the day – for example, in the early morning or evening.
  • Keeping the home cool:
    • Keep your environment cool: keeping your living space cool is especially important for those who need to stay at home this summer.
    • Shade or cover windows exposed to direct sunlight and keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day. External shutters or shades, if you have them, are very effective, while internal blinds or curtains are less effective. Care should be taken with metal blinds and dark curtains, as these can absorb heat.
    • If possible and safe, open windows at night if it feels cooler outside.
    • Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment – they generate heat.
    • During the hottest periods find the coolest part of your home or garden/outside or local green space to sit in. If going outdoors, use cool spaces considerately.
  • On car journeys:
    • Ensure that babies, children, or older people are not left alone in parked cars, which can quickly overheat.
  •  Look out for the signs of heat-related harm:
    • If you feel dizzy, weak or have intense thirst and a headache, move to a cool place as soon as possible. Drink some water or diluted fruit juice to rehydrate. Avoid excess alcohol.
    • If you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms, or abdomen), rest immediately in a cool place and drink electrolyte drinks. Most people should start to recover within 30 mins and if not, you should seek medical help.
    • Seek help from a GP or contact NHS 111 if you or someone else is feeling unwell and shows symptoms of:
    • breathlessness
    • chest pain
    • confusion
    • cramps that get worse or don't go away
    • dizziness
    • intense thirst
    • weakness.

Call 999 if a person develops any signs of heatstroke as this is a medical emergency. Further information about heatstroke and heat-related illness is available on the NHS website.

  • Enjoy the water safely:
    • During warm weather going for a swim can provide much welcomed relief.
    • Take care and follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down.

Visit the Met Office Heat Health Alert page for more information on heatwave alerts.

Seek help from a GP or contact NHS 111 if someone is feeling unwell and shows symptoms of:

  • breathlessness
  • chest pain
  • confusion
  • cramps that get worse or don't go away
  • dizziness
  • intense thirst
  • weakness.

NHS guidance

Useful links

Guidance for organisers of events and mass gatherings

Water safety in the summer

Last updated : 11 October 2024

For information on Flooding and Health please visit the GOV.UK website.

Last updated : 27 June 2024