PRACTICAL things that can be done to minimise the risk to health this winter have been spelled out in the 2014 Cold Weather Plan for England.

It is estimated that every year there are more than 25,000 excess winter deaths in England, many of which are preventable.

The plan, which is published by Public Health England (PHE), the Local Government Association and NHS England, offers advice that people can take, before and during the winter, to reduce the risks to health.

The plan urges people to consider how their homes can be better insulated and kept warm, to make sure heating systems are routinely checked and as flu circulates during the winter, encourages those eligible for a flu jab, to have it.

Dr Shona Arora, centre director for the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire PHE Centre said:

“Every winter thousands of people die from a range of health conditions many of which can be linked to cold weather.

“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.

“Older people, those with health conditions, even if they are well managed, and pregnant women are at much greater risk of becoming seriously unwell if they catch flu and sadly, many end up in hospital.

“The best way these people can protect themselves from flu is to take up the offer of free vaccination from their GP.

“For pre-school children a nasal spray is available that is quick, easy and painless and will help prevent them catching flu and the also help to reduce the spread of flu to those who are more vulnerable.

“These simple things can make a big difference to reducing health impacts this winter.”

A PHE Winter Health Watch website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england/series/winter-health-watch) will launch in early November and brings together PHE’s weekly monitoring of winter-related illnesses and deaths.