Pensioners told to heat just ONE room in their homes to 20C degrees this winter
The shocking advice - which illustrates the surging cost of energy bills - is offered in a new government leaflet.
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Hard-up pensioners are being told to heat just one room in their homes to 20C degrees this winter.
The shocking advice - which illustrates the surging cost of energy bills - is offered in a new government leaflet.
"Turn off heating in rooms you're not using,' states the leaflet from Energy Secretary Ed Davey's department.
"You'll still be cosy and warm but the heating won't stay on where you need it."
Fuel bills have soared since the Coalition came to power and the Government has been blasted for failing to tackle greedy energy firms.
But the advice is echoed by NHS Choices website, which says: "If you can't heat all the rooms, heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before you go to sleep."
Households are also being urged to look out for their neighbours during the winter months in a bid to cut the death toll caused by cold weather.
Milk bottles being left outside, newspapers stuck in the letterbox and curtains being left drawn are all signs that someone may have fallen victim to the drop in temperatures, officials said.
They called on communities to be on alert for indications that neighbours, elderly relatives or friends may have been affected by the weather.
The appeal came as Public Health England (PHE), the Local Government Association (LGA) and NHS England published the Cold Weather Plan for England advising people on actions they can take before and during the winter to reduce the risks to health.
There are an estimated 25,000 excess winter deaths each year.
Dr Angie Bone, head of extreme events and health protection at PHE, said many winter-related deaths could be avoided.
"Every winter thousands of people die from a range of health conditions many of which can be linked to cold weather," she said.
"The sad thing is many of these deaths are preventable through relatively simple measures, many of which are best done before the really cold weather sets in.
"Of course much of what we can all do is common sense, such as making our homes as energy efficient as we can and putting the heating on, dressing warmly and keeping active when it's cold.
"But some people find these things difficult to do and that's why we're urging everyone to think of someone they know who may be affected by the cold - an elderly relative, friend or neighbour, someone not in the best of health or with very young children - to take the time to think about what you can do to help protect their health this winter."
She said the elderly, those with health conditions and pregnant women are at "much greater risk" of becoming seriously unwell if they catch flu.
"The best way these people can protect themselves from flu is to take up the offer of free vaccination from their GP," said Dr Bone.
PHE issued the following advice for keeping warm during winter:
The shocking advice - which illustrates the surging cost of energy bills - is offered in a new government leaflet.
"Turn off heating in rooms you're not using,' states the leaflet from Energy Secretary Ed Davey's department.
"You'll still be cosy and warm but the heating won't stay on where you need it."
Fuel bills have soared since the Coalition came to power and the Government has been blasted for failing to tackle greedy energy firms.
But the advice is echoed by NHS Choices website, which says: "If you can't heat all the rooms, heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before you go to sleep."
Households are also being urged to look out for their neighbours during the winter months in a bid to cut the death toll caused by cold weather.
Milk bottles being left outside, newspapers stuck in the letterbox and curtains being left drawn are all signs that someone may have fallen victim to the drop in temperatures, officials said.
They called on communities to be on alert for indications that neighbours, elderly relatives or friends may have been affected by the weather.
The appeal came as Public Health England (PHE), the Local Government Association (LGA) and NHS England published the Cold Weather Plan for England advising people on actions they can take before and during the winter to reduce the risks to health.
There are an estimated 25,000 excess winter deaths each year.
Dr Angie Bone, head of extreme events and health protection at PHE, said many winter-related deaths could be avoided.
"Every winter thousands of people die from a range of health conditions many of which can be linked to cold weather," she said.
"The sad thing is many of these deaths are preventable through relatively simple measures, many of which are best done before the really cold weather sets in.
"Of course much of what we can all do is common sense, such as making our homes as energy efficient as we can and putting the heating on, dressing warmly and keeping active when it's cold.
"But some people find these things difficult to do and that's why we're urging everyone to think of someone they know who may be affected by the cold - an elderly relative, friend or neighbour, someone not in the best of health or with very young children - to take the time to think about what you can do to help protect their health this winter."
She said the elderly, those with health conditions and pregnant women are at "much greater risk" of becoming seriously unwell if they catch flu.
"The best way these people can protect themselves from flu is to take up the offer of free vaccination from their GP," said Dr Bone.
PHE issued the following advice for keeping warm during winter:
- Heat your home to at least 18C to minimise the risk to health, especially if you're 65 and over or have health problems. If heating the whole house is a problem heat the living room during the day and your bedroom just before you go to sleep.
- Have your flu jab to protect yourself and others from influenza, if in an eligible group for vaccination.
- Look out for friends, relatives and neighbours who may be vulnerable to the cold.
- Stay tuned to the weather forecast and plan ahead with supplies.
- Have regular hot meals and drinks throughout the day and keep active to help stay warm.
- Get financial support to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills.
- Have your heating and cooking appliances checked regularly.
- Wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer, and when you need to go outside wear shoes with slip resistant, good grip soles.
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