Extreme Winter Weather — Preparing for Cold Weather
Cold weather can affect our health, our homes and essential services.
Anyone can become unwell if they get too cold, but older people and people with certain health conditions can be particularly vulnerable. Snow and ice also increase the risk of falls, travel disruption, power cuts and problems with heating and water supplies.
Wraysbury & Horton Resilience (WHR) uses UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Cold-Health Alerts as the basis for our cold-related Risk Status and Risk Updates.
The best time to prepare for severe winter weather is before an alert is issued.
QUICK LINKS — What do you need now?
Alerts
❄️ There’s a Cold-Health Alert — what does it mean?
Understand Green, Yellow, Amber and Red Cold-Health Alert levels.
Cold Illness
🚑 Someone is unwell
— what should I do?
Recognise hypothermia and other warning signs and know when to get medical help.
Cold Weather
🥶 Cold weather is here
— what should I do now?
Practical steps to keep warm and well, avoid falls and cope with snow, ice and disruption.
Prepare
🏠 There’s no cold alert
— how can I prepare?
Prepare yourself and your home for winter problems, power cuts, snow and ice.
There’s a Cold-Health Alert — What Does It Mean?
UKHSA issues Cold-Health Alerts when cold weather is expected to have an impact on people’s health.
WHR uses these alerts as the basis for our cold-related Risk Updates.
🟢 GREEN — PREPARE
No Cold-Health Alert is currently in force
Green is the normal winter preparedness level.
There is no need for special action, but this is the ideal time to:
- make sure your heating is working
- know who to contact if your heating fails
- check smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms
- prepare for possible power cuts
- have warm clothing and suitable footwear available
- make sure you have essential medicines
- know where your water stopcock is
- think about relatives, friends or neighbours who may struggle during severe cold.
The best time to solve winter problems is before the weather turns cold.
🟡 YELLOW — BE AWARE
Cold weather could particularly affect vulnerable people
A Yellow Alert matters.
Older and frail people and people with some health conditions may be particularly affected.
At Yellow:
- read the latest WHR Risk Update
- start taking precautions against the cold
- keep yourself and your home comfortably warm
- check heating is working properly
- make sure medicines, food and other essentials are available
- take extra care if frost or ice is expected
- check vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours
- watch for further updates.
Yellow means be aware and start taking action — particularly if you or someone you know is vulnerable to cold.
🟠 AMBER — TAKE ACTION
Significant health impacts are possible across the wider population
At Amber, the effects of cold weather may extend beyond people normally considered particularly vulnerable.
Everyone should take sensible precautions.
- Keep yourself and your home warm.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to severe cold.
- Take particular care in snow and ice.
- Reconsider unnecessary journeys.
- Make sure medicines, food and other essentials are available.
- Charge phones and power banks.
- Actively check vulnerable relatives and neighbours.
- Be prepared for possible disruption to transport, power and other services.
- Follow WHR and official updates.
Amber means TAKE ACTION.
🔴 RED — PROTECT LIFE
Severe cold presents a significant risk to health across the population
A Red Cold-Health Alert is exceptional.
At Red, severe cold may present a risk to life across the population and significant disruption to normal services may occur.
- Stay somewhere warm and safe.
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to severe cold.
- Avoid unnecessary travel.
- Check vulnerable people frequently if it is safe to do so.
- Be prepared for significant disruption.
- Follow instructions from the emergency services and official advice.
- Know the symptoms of hypothermia.
If somebody has symptoms of hypothermia, call 999 or go to A&E.
Which warnings does WHR use?
WHR uses the UKHSA Weather-Health Alert system as the basis for our heat and cold Risk Updates.
UKHSA issues these alerts in partnership with the Met Office, so they will normally reflect the developing weather situation.
However, Weather-Health Alerts focus specifically on the likely effects of weather on people’s health, while Met Office weather warnings consider wider severe-weather impacts and disruption.
The colours or timing may therefore occasionally be different.
WHR will make clear which official alert or warning our Risk Update is based upon.
Check current UKHSA Cold-Health Alerts
There’s No Cold Alert — How Can I Prepare?
This is the most useful time to prepare.
Cold weather can create several problems at the same time — a heating failure during a cold spell, frozen pipes, icy paths, transport disruption or a power cut can turn an inconvenience into a much more difficult situation.
A little preparation can make a considerable difference.
1. Make Sure Your Heating Is Ready
Before winter:
- check that your heating works properly
- have boilers and heating appliances serviced as appropriate
- know how your heating controls work
- check radiators are heating correctly
- know who you would contact if the heating failed.
If you use oil, LPG, solid fuel or another delivered fuel, consider how much you normally need and avoid running unnecessarily low during periods of severe weather.
Don’t wait for the first freezing night to discover that the heating isn’t working.
2. Know How Warm Your Home Should Be
If you are 65 or over, have reduced mobility, or have a health condition such as heart or lung disease, try to heat rooms you regularly use to at least 18°C if you can.
You may also benefit from keeping your bedroom at around 18°C overnight.
If you are under 65, healthy and active, your home may be cooler than 18°C if you are comfortable.
If you cannot heat every room:
- concentrate on the rooms you use most
- heat your living room during the day
- warm your bedroom before going to bed
- keep doors closed between warmer and colder areas
- close curtains at dusk
- keep radiators clear.
If you are struggling to afford sufficient heating, ask for help rather than simply going without heat.
3. Keep Warm Efficiently
Several thin layers of clothing generally retain warmth better than one thick layer.
Have available:
- warm indoor clothing
- socks
- suitable nightwear
- blankets
- appropriate outdoor clothing
- hats and gloves
- footwear with good grip.
A hot-water bottle or electric blanket can help keep you warm in bed.
Do not use a hot-water bottle and electric blanket together.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check older electric blankets for damage.
4. Prepare for Heating Failure
Think now about what you would do if your heating stopped working on a very cold day.
Ask yourself:
Who would I call?
Do I have a safe alternative source of heat?
Could I temporarily stay with family or friends?
Who would help an older or vulnerable person in the household?
How long could the house remain safely occupied without heating?
Keep heating engineer, landlord or housing-association contact details somewhere accessible.
Never use outdoor heating or cooking equipment indoors as an improvised source of heat.
5. Prepare for Power Cuts
Winter storms can interrupt electricity supplies.
Keep available:
- torches
- spare batteries
- charged power banks
- warm clothing and blankets
- essential medicines
- food that does not require cooking
- important telephone numbers.
Avoid relying on candles where possible because of the fire risk.
If somebody depends upon electrically powered medical equipment, make sure there is a plan for a power interruption.
Consider joining your electricity company’s Priority Services Register if somebody in your household may require additional assistance during a disruption.
6. Check Smoke and Carbon-Monoxide Alarms
Winter often means increased use of boilers, fires and other heating appliances.
Make sure:
- smoke alarms work
- carbon-monoxide alarms are installed where appropriate
- batteries are checked
- heating appliances are properly maintained.
Never use:
- barbecues
- camping stoves
- outdoor gas heaters
- generators
inside your home, garage, conservatory or another enclosed space.
They can produce deadly carbon monoxide.
7. Know Where Your Water Stopcock Is
Frozen pipes can burst and cause substantial damage.
Before winter:
- find your internal stopcock
- make sure you can operate it
- insulate vulnerable pipes and water tanks
- consider outside taps and pipes in garages or outbuildings
- repair dripping taps.
If a pipe freezes, never use a naked flame to thaw it.
If a pipe bursts:
- turn off the water supply
- turn off electricity if water is affecting electrical equipment and it is safe to do so
- contact a qualified plumber.
8. Have Essential Supplies Available
You do not need to stockpile, but it is sensible to be able to cope with a few days of disruption.
Consider keeping:
- essential medicines
- basic food
- drinking water
- toiletries
- pet food
- batteries
- torches
- phone power banks.
Think particularly about anything that would be difficult to obtain if roads were icy or public transport disrupted.
For wider household emergency preparedness:
9. Medicines and Health
Cold weather can make some existing health conditions worse, particularly heart and breathing problems.
Before winter:
- make sure regular medicines are available
- keep an up-to-date list of medicines and doses
- order repeat prescriptions in reasonable time
- have appropriate remedies and basic first-aid supplies available.
Keep up to date with vaccinations offered to you, including seasonal vaccinations where appropriate.
If your health deteriorates during cold weather, do not simply assume it is because it is cold.
Seek appropriate medical advice.
10. Prepare for Snow and Ice
Falls are an important winter risk, particularly for older people.
Before icy weather:
- have shoes or boots with good grip available
- check outside lighting
- keep paths in reasonable condition
- have grit or salt available if appropriate
- identify steps or areas that become particularly slippery
- make sure handrails are secure.
If you use a walking aid, think about how safe it will be on icy surfaces.
Sometimes the safest decision is not to go out until conditions improve.
11. Prepare Your Car
Before winter, consider whether your vehicle is ready for poor conditions.
Useful items can include:
- warm clothing or a blanket
- water
- snacks
- torch
- phone charger or power bank
- ice scraper and de-icer
- essential medicines.
Keep your vehicle appropriately maintained and check weather and road conditions before longer journeys.
Do not travel merely because a journey was originally planned if conditions have become unsafe.
12. Think About Pets
Animals can also suffer in severe cold.
Make sure pets have:
- a warm, dry place
- sufficient food and water
- appropriate shelter
- necessary medicines.
Take particular care with older animals and those normally housed outdoors.
13. Know Who May Need Extra Help
Cold weather can affect anyone, but particular care may be needed for:
- older and frail people
- babies and young children
- people with heart or lung conditions
- people with other long-term health conditions
- people with reduced mobility
- people who live alone
- people who cannot afford to heat their home adequately
- people experiencing homelessness.
Think about relatives, friends and neighbours who may need help.
A telephone call or visit before and during cold weather can make a real difference.
14. Make a Simple Cold-Weather Plan
If you or somebody in your household is particularly vulnerable, ask:
Is the heating reliable?
Who will we call if it fails?
Can we keep at least one room comfortably warm?
Do we have enough medicines and essential supplies?
What would we do during a power cut?
Could we stay somewhere else if the house became too cold?
Who will check on somebody who lives alone?
How will we obtain shopping or medicines if roads become icy?
Writing this down can be useful, particularly where several relatives or carers are involved.
15. Help Make the Community More Resilient
Think about neighbours who:
- live alone
- are elderly or frail
- have reduced mobility
- have health conditions
- struggle to heat their home
- do not use smartphones or social media
- may be unable to shop during snow or ice.
WHR maintains arrangements to support registered vulnerable residents during significant incidents.
However, during an Amber or Red event our resources may be stretched and priority must be given to those most vulnerable.
Preparing and helping each other before an alert makes the whole community more resilient.
❄️Cold Weather Is Here — What Should I Do Now?
Once temperatures fall, put your preparations into action.
1. Keep Yourself Warm
- Wear several layers of clothing.
- Keep feet warm and dry.
- Use blankets where useful.
- Have regular hot food and drinks.
- Keep moving periodically if you are able.
- Avoid sitting still for very long periods.
- Keep rooms you regularly use comfortably warm.
If you are older, less mobile or have certain health conditions, aim for at least 18°C in regularly used rooms if you can.
2. Keep Your Home Warm
- Close curtains at dusk.
- Keep doors closed between warmer and colder areas.
- Keep radiators clear.
- Block obvious draughts where safe.
- Heat the rooms you use most.
- Keep bedroom windows closed on very cold nights if you are particularly vulnerable to cold.
Do not block ventilation needed for boilers, fires or other appliances.
3. Eat and Drink Regularly
Regular meals and warm drinks can help you stay warm.
Try to have:
- regular meals
- warm food
- warm drinks
- sufficient fluids.
Avoid excessive alcohol. It can make you feel warm while actually increasing heat loss and can impair judgement.
4. Take Extra Care Outside
If snow or ice is present:
- avoid unnecessary trips
- wear footwear with good grip
- take your time
- use handrails
- stick to treated paths where possible
- avoid shortcuts across icy areas
- avoid carrying heavy shopping on slippery surfaces.
If conditions are dangerous, ask whether somebody else can collect shopping or medicines for you.
There is no shame in deciding that a journey can wait.
5. Change Your Travel Plans
Before travelling:
- check the weather forecast
- check road or public-transport conditions
- allow extra time
- charge your phone
- tell someone your plans for longer journeys.
If official advice is not to travel, do not make the journey unless it is genuinely essential.
6. Check Other People
During Yellow, Amber and Red conditions, check vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours.
Ask:
Are you warm enough?
Is your heating working?
Do you have food and warm drinks?
Do you have your medicines?
Do you need shopping collected?
Are you worried about going outside because of ice?
Is there anything you need?
Sometimes the most useful question is simply:
“Are you warm, and is there anything you need?”
7. If the Heating Fails
If your heating stops during severe cold:
- contact your heating engineer, landlord or appropriate service
- keep doors and curtains closed
- wear additional layers
- use safe alternative heating if available
- consider moving to another warm location.
For an older, frail or medically vulnerable person, do not allow the home to become dangerously cold while waiting indefinitely for a repair.
Consider whether they can temporarily stay with family or friends or access another safe, warm location.
8. During a Power Cut
- Use torches rather than candles where possible.
- Keep doors and curtains closed to retain warmth.
- Wear additional layers.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed.
- Use power banks to conserve phone power.
- Check vulnerable neighbours if it is safe to do so.
Never bring a barbecue, camping stove or generator indoors.
Follow electricity-network advice about restoration.
Wraysbury & Horton Resilience – Power Failures
9. Snow and Ice Around Your Home
If you are physically able to clear snow or ice:
- do it before it becomes compacted where possible
- use salt or grit appropriately
- wear suitable footwear
- work carefully.
Do not put yourself at risk trying to clear large areas.
Remember that steps, paths and driveways may refreeze overnight.
🤒Someone Is Becoming Unwell — What Should I Do?
Cold weather can worsen existing illness as well as cause direct cold-related conditions.
Do not dismiss significant symptoms simply because the weather is cold.
Hypothermia — Medical Emergency
Hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls dangerously low.
Symptoms can include:
- shivering
- pale, cold and dry skin
- blue or grey skin or lips — this may be easier to see on the palms or soles on darker skin
- slurred speech
- slow breathing
- tiredness
- confusion.
A baby with hypothermia may:
- feel cold
- be floppy
- be unusually quiet or sleepy
- refuse to feed.
If you think someone has hypothermia, call 999 or go to A&E.
While waiting for help:
- move them indoors or somewhere sheltered if possible
- remove wet clothing
- wrap them in dry blankets, towels or coats
- cover their head
- stay with them.
If they are fully awake, a warm non-alcoholic drink and sugary food may be appropriate.
Do NOT:
- put them in a hot bath
- use a hot-water bottle or heat lamp directly on them
- rub their arms, legs, hands or feet
- give them alcohol.
Warm them gradually and follow the emergency call handler’s advice.
Other Illness During Cold Weather
Cold weather can increase the risk of, or worsen:
- heart problems
- strokes
- breathing problems
- chest infections
- other existing illnesses.
Seek medical help for new or worsening symptoms.
For a problem that is urgent but not life-threatening:
Telephone: 111
For a life-threatening emergency:
CALL 999.
Frostbite
Frostbite is damage to skin and tissue caused by exposure to freezing temperatures.
It most commonly affects extremities such as fingers, toes, ears and nose.
Seek medical help if you are concerned about frostbite.
Call 999 or go to A&E for serious symptoms such as hard, frozen skin, significant swelling or loss of feeling.
Other Winter Weather Risks
Cold weather often comes with other hazards.
Snow and Ice
Snow and ice can cause:
- falls
- road accidents
- disruption to public transport
- isolation
- difficulty obtaining medicines and food.
Follow Met Office weather warnings and WHR Risk Updates and avoid unnecessary travel during severe conditions.
Winter Storms and High Winds
Storms can bring:
- falling trees and branches
- flying debris
- power cuts
- damaged buildings
- travel disruption.
Secure loose garden items before a storm and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during dangerous winds.
Follow Met Office warnings and emergency-service advice.
Flooding
Prolonged rain, saturated ground and winter storms can increase flood risk.
For detailed local guidance, household flood planning and WHR flood information:
WHR — Flooding: Preparing, Responding and Recovering
Useful Cold-Weather Resources
UKHSA — Current Weather-Health Alerts
Check the current Cold-Health Alert for our region.
UKHSA — Keeping Warm and Well
Official public advice about staying healthy and safe during cold weather.
Keeping warm and well — staying safe in cold weather
NHS — Hypothermia
Symptoms, first aid and when to call 999.
Met Office
Weather forecasts and severe-weather warnings.
UK Government — Prepare
General household emergency-preparedness guidance.
WHR – Here to help you prepare
Please don’t wait for an Amber or Red Alert to start preparing.
WHR can help residents find information about:
- understanding Cold-Health Alerts
- preparing for severe winter weather
- accessing help with heating or energy problems
- preparing for power cuts
- preparing for snow and ice
- helping older or vulnerable household members
- accessing appropriate support services.
If you know somebody who may need additional assistance during a significant local incident because of age, disability, illness or other circumstances, please speak to us about our Vulnerable Residents arrangements.
WHR: 07808 654321
During a significant incident our resources will inevitably be limited, and priority must be given to residents who are most vulnerable.
Preparing beforehand protects you, helps your neighbours and makes the whole community more resilient.
Remember
🟢 GREEN
PREPARE
🟡 YELLOW
BE AWARE
🟠 AMBER
TAKE ACTION
🔴 RED
PROTECT LIFE
Building resilience to severe cold starts before the temperature falls.
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