GPs in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have this week urged local people to keep warm and well in the cold snap – especially the elderly and people living with asthma or lung disease whose health is put at risk by cold weather.
With a Met Office Yellow Weather Warning in place for the Burnham-On-Sea area, temperatures are predicted to fall significantly.
Dr Ed Ford, a GP and Chairman of Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “If you or a relative are vulnerable to asthma and long-term breathing problems please keep yourself and them warm and well.”
“Family doctors, our district hospitals and community services are already seeing very high numbers of people become ill and admitted to hospital.”
“If you have asthma or long-term health problems please take some sensible precautions, like staying indoors on the coldest days, keeping rooms heated to at least 18 degrees centigrade, drinking plenty of warm drinks and having some over-the -counter cold or flu remedies in the home.”
“Friends and neighbours can help by checking on the elderly and vulnerable and offering to collect food from a local shop.”
NHS tips to keep your family warm and well:
•  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 (65F)Â
•  Keep your bedroom at 18C all night if you can – and keep the bedroom window closed
•   During the day you may prefer your living room to be slightly warmer than 18C
•   Wear several layers of clothes – cotton, wool or fleecy fibres
•   Use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed (but not both at once)
•  Have at least one hot meal a day –and make sure you have hot drinks regularly
•   Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so indoors – get up and stretch your legs
•   Stay active – even moderate exercise can help keep you warm
If you start to feel unwell, even if it’s a cough or cold, don’t wait until it gets more serious. Seek advice from your pharmacist or check online at https://111.nhs.uk
