Released:
The Met Office has issued a level 3 cold weather alert for the West Midlands.
The 'amber warning' predicts a 90% probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions between 09:00 on Monday 16 January and 09:00 on Friday 20 January in parts of England.
This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.
There is also useful information in the Council's ‘Here2Help this Winter’ booklet.
The Met Office has issued the following severe cold weather advice:
- Look out for friends and family who may be vulnerable to the cold, and ensure they have access to warm food and drinks and are managing to heat their homes adequately
- Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18°C, particularly if you are not mobile, have a long-term illness or are 65 or over
- Avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at a higher risk of cold-related illness or falls and stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts on the Met Office website
- If you want more information about how cold weather can affect your health, please visit www.nhs.uk. If you are concerned about your health or somebody you care for, advice can be obtained from www.nhs.uk/winterhealth, NHS 111, or your local pharmacist