Over-65s warned of minimum heating temperature in polar vortex snow

Over-65s warned of minimum heating temperature in polar vortex snow The Met Office has warned the polar vortex has "weakened and become dramatically stretched", which could bring colder, drier air to the UK Elderly people aged 65 and over are being advised to set their home heating to the correct temperature this winter to guard against the cold, as a polar vortex threatens to unleash freezing conditions across the UK. The polar vortex is a vast circulation of bitterly cold winds some 30km above the Earth's surface that swirls around the North Pole, but the Met Office has warned that it has "weakened and become dramatically stretched", potentially driving colder, drier air towards the UK, along with sleet and snow, within just a matter of weeks. The forecaster described the disturbance to the polar vortex as an "exceptional development for this early in the season", with initial forecasts suggesting it will become "increasingly displaced from the North Pole", though it remains too soon to determine the full impact on UK weather, as the situation can take several weeks to unfold. The Met Office confirmed the polar vortex is being "monitored closely", while stressing that the current cold snap is the result of high pressure and chilly air sweeping down from the Arctic. However, with a lengthy winter ahead and the prospect of severe conditions looking increasingly likely, those over 65 are being urged to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from the bitter weather — starting with ensuring their home is heated to the right temperature. Guidance from Public Health England recommends that homes should be heated to at least 18C in winter and this is "particularly important" for those over 65 to help maintain good health, regardless of the weather outside. However, the health authority adds that it's especially useful to keep this 18C level overnight to guard against dropping temperatures in the early hours. In an assessment of minimum home temperature thresholds for health in winter, Public Health England said: "Heating homes to at least 18C (65F) in winter poses minimal risk to the health of a sedentary person, wearing suitable clothing." "Daytime recommendations: The 18C (65F) threshold is particularly important for people over 65yrs or with preexisting medical conditions. Having temperatures slightly above this threshold may be beneficial for health. "The 18C (65F) threshold also applies to healthy people (1 - 64). If they are wearing appropriate clothing and are active, they may wish to heat their homes to slightly less than 18CC (65F). "Overnight recommendations: Maintaining the 18C (65F) threshold overnight may be beneficial to protect the health of those over 65 years or with pre-existing medical conditions. They should continue to use sufficient bedding, clothing and thermal blankets or heating aids as appropriate. "Overnight, the 18C (65F) threshold may be less important for healthy people (1 - 64) if they have sufficient bedding, clothing and use thermal blankets or heating aids as appropriate." Maintaining your home at a minimum temperature of 18C throughout the day and night can help ward off unpleasant winter illnesses, including colds, flu and Covid, as well as more serious conditions such as pneumonia, heart attacks, strokes and depression. If heating your entire home isn't something you wish to do, you can choose to warm only the rooms you use most frequently, such as your living room or bedroom, and make sure to keep windows shut overnight to help hold the warmth inside. Closing your curtains at dusk will also help to trap the heat produced within your rooms. To prevent heat from escaping, use draught excluders to plug any gaps around windows and doors, and ensure that no radiators in your home are obstructed by furniture or curtains. In its winter guidance, the Met Office says: "The cold thickens blood and increases blood pressure, and breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections. So it's all the more important to ensure your home and the homes of people you look out for are the right temperature. "Ideally, you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18C. This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease. Having room temperatures slightly over 18C could be good for your health. "If you are under the age of 65, active and wearing appropriate clothing, you may wish to keep your home at a comfortable temperature even if it is slightly lower than 18C. "Overnight, people who are 65 and over or who have pre-existing health conditions may find bedroom temperatures of at least 18C are good for their health; this may be less important if you are a healthy adult under 65 and have appropriate clothing and bedding. It is important to keep your bedroom window closed at night when the weather is cold." Guidance from the Met Office, NHS and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also suggests staying active during spells of cold weather - even if you're confined indoors because of snow and ice - as this will help your body maintain warmth and ward off winter bugs like colds, flu and more severe health issues. You should try to get up and move about at least once an hour, ensure you have at least one hot meal each day, and wear multiple layers of thin clothing, rather than a single thick layer, to help trap heat. Dr Anya Gopfert, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, added: "Cold weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, so it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours who are most vulnerable. "We're also reminding people to take simple steps to stay warm and look after their health as temperatures begin to fall. Keeping homes heated where possible and dressing warmly can help people stay safe and well during colder weather."