Seasonal Advice

Stay well this winter

Winter can be a challenging time, but there are simple steps you can take to protect your health, wellbeing, and those around you. This page brings together advice and support to help you stay safe, warm, and connected. If any of our services are affected due to severe weather or other disruptions, we’ll update the relevant webpages with the latest information. 

General Advice and guidance

  • Look after your health and wellbeing
  • Stay warm
  • Look out for others
  • Protect your home
  • Prepare for emergencies​

Looking after your health and wellbeing

Keep yourself and others well this winter by keeping warm, eating well, moving more and preventing winter illness. Get vaccinated and look after your mental health to support your immune system. 

Vaccinations

Getting your winter vaccinations such as the Flu and COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others against illness.

Flu vaccines are available to people aged 65 and over, those with certain health conditions, those who are pregnant, care home residents, carers, people living with someone with a weak immune system, and frontline health and social care workers. The flu vaccine can be accessed through the GP, community pharmacy, or through the NHS online booking system. Find out more at Flu vaccine - NHS​​

Covid-19 vaccine is recommended for those at higher risk of COVID-19. This includes people aged 75 and over, those aged 6 months to 64 with specific health risks, and care home residents. It is available via the NHS booking system, through community pharmacies or the GP. More information can be found at COVID-19 vaccine - NHS​

Pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis. It is recommended for people at higher risk of these illnesses, such as babies and adults aged 65 and over. More information can be found at Pneumococcal vaccine - NHS​​​

RSV vaccine helps protect against infection with RSV, a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It's offered on the NHS if you're pregnant, aged 75 to 79, or turned 80 after 1 September 2024. More information can be found on the NHS website RSV vaccine - NHS​

How to Prevent the Spread of Infections

Good hand-washing helps to protect you and your loved ones- wash hands using soap and water for at least 40 seconds. More information can be found here - NHS or here - GOV.UK.

By covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, putting the tissue in a waste bin, and cleaning your hands, you can help prevent infections from spreading. Cough or sneeze into the inner elbow (upper sleeve) if no tissues are available, rather than into the hand. More information can be found here: Preventing and controlling infections - GOV.UK.

Clean frequently-touched surfaces, such as worktops, handrails, and doorknobs, regularly.​

Mental Health

In winter people can feel isolated and lonely, particularly on colder, darker days. If you need support, Halton’s Mental Health Info Point offers services, guidance, and resources.

Falls Prevention

Falls are more likely to happen in winter due to ice, snow, and wet leaves. To prevent falls in winter, take care of your home and outdoor walkways by clearing snow and ice, improving lighting, and removing clutter.

When walking, wear appropriate footwear with good grip and always be mindful of icy conditions and give yourself plenty of time to avoid rushing. 

Visit the NHS website for information on preventing falls

Staying Warm

Keeping warm over the winter months can help prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems. Heat your home to a temperature that's comfortable for you. If you can, this should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom.

If you are in financial difficulty, there are grants, benefits and advice available to help you make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help manage energy bills. You can also keep warm by wearing layers, reducing draughts, and keeping bedroom windows closed at night.

Widnes Library and Halton Lea Library offer free hot drinks from 10:30am - Warm Spaces

Cost of Living Support

You may find yourself needing more financial support during winter due to increased cost in heating, food and warm winter clothing. There are lots of organisations and schemes that can help you manage through the current cost of living crisis. Visit our Cost of Living support page to find out more.

Useful links for winter support:

​Check in on elderly relatives and neighbours

Remember that other people, such as older neighbours, friends and family members, may need some extra help over the winter. There's a lot you can do to help people who need support.

Check on elderly neighbours or relatives to make sure they are safe and well. A phone call or a knock at the door can make all the difference and can brighten their day - some people find being housebound very lonely.

Make sure they have enough food and medicines to prevent them having to go out in very cold or icy weather. Give your telephone number to elderly neighbours so they can contact you for help if they are unwell or had a fall.

Support is available to help people live well at home. Whether it’s staying connected, accessing local activities, or getting help with daily tasks, there are resources to support independent living and community wellbeing.

Homelessness support

If you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or you’re worried about a rough sleeper, you can contact Halton’s Housing Solutions Team for advice and support:

Please click this link to report someone sleeping rough Tell us about someone sleeping rough - StreetLink​

Caring for pets

Just like humans, animals need a little extra care during the cold and dark winter months.

Keep Pets Safe in Cold Weather RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

Looking after your home​

There are a number of ways you can prepare and protect your home for winter.

Prevent frozen pipes

Cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst. Prevent damage by wrapping pipes with lagging, locating your stop tap, and servicing your boiler.

Be prepared for power cuts

Power cuts (or electricity outages) can have a number of causes including severe weather, which can lead to damaged infrastructure, or system faults.

  • You can take actions to prepare for a power cut
  • Report a power cut by calling 105 or online via SP Energy Networks
  • If you could need additional help during a loss of power, sign up for the supplier’s Priority Service Register co.uk

Bleed your radiators

Over time, air bubbles can gather in your radiator. The trapped air prevents the radiator from filling with water fully, which means it won’t heat your home as efficiently and can lead to higher energy bills. If the top of your radiator is much cooler than the bottom, then it may need bleeding. 

Clearing Ice and Snow

If you are able to, clear snow from paths and driveways

Clear drains and guttering

If you don’t clean a blocked gutter or drain, fallen leaves and debris can build up and weigh it down, causing cracks and with a heavy winter downpour could create a flood risk. That’s why it’s important to do a clear out before the cold and frosty weather sets in.

Fire Safety

Protect your home from fire this winter by testing smoke alarms regularly, sweeping chimneys, unplugging devices when not in use, and cooking with care.

Preparing for emergencies

Emergencies happen every day in the UK and across the world, caused by extreme weather, deliberate actions or infrastructure failure.

The Government has provided lots of useful information to help you prepare

for an emergency in your area, be more informed about hazards and get involved in activities to support your community before, during and after an emergency.

There are a few simple and effective steps that you can take to be more prepared, such as making a plan and preparing your home, and creating your own emergency kit or ‘grab bag’ using the following items:

  • Battery or wind-up torch
  • Portable power bank
  • Battery or wind-up radio
  • Spare batteries
  • A first aid kit (or some first aid items)
  • Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
  • Bottled water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Baby supplies

Utilities

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support, including when there’s an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply.

Visit thepsr.co.uk to find out if you are eligible to sign up to gas, energy or water providers’ Priority Service Registers – by signing up to the register, you can let your supplier know that you need additional support, including when there is an interruption to your supply.

Weather & safe travel

Keep an eye on the forecast and be aware of severe weather warnings and flooding risks:

Take extra care when travelling in winter. Plan your journey in advance and pack a Winter Kit.

Defrost your car fully, keep a safe distance, and drive slowly.

If travelling by public transport, check live updates and transport operator websites for details of any service disruptions:

Halton Borough Council key winter services: