Winter in Cheshire East
Stay Warm, Stay Well, Stay Safe this
winter
Will you be a good Winter Neighbour?
Winter weather can be fun for some, but sadly more people are at
risk of illness and death during winter than at any other time of
the year and may need extra help from us all. As the weather turns
colder spare a thought and a little time for your Neighbours.
Neighbours may need your help, especially if they are elderly,
disabled or have a chronic illness. Cold weather is especially
dangerous for these groups - and symptoms don't just get worse
during a cold spell, it can last for a few days afterwards.
Read our 'Stay Warm', 'Stay Well' and 'Stay Safe' pages for helpful information
and advice this winter. We have also prepared a printable Spread the Warmth
booklet (PDF, 323KB) that you can download, print out
and then give to a friend or neighbour.
Here are a few tips to being a good Winter Neighbour:
- 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.
- Is their house warm enough? Living rooms should be heated to
21°C and bedrooms to 18°C. Contact the Care
& Repair team for information about emergency heating and
repairs.
- Keep drives and footpaths clear of snow and ice for your
neighbours. Advice is available from Cheshire East
Highways about clearing snow and ice.
- Concerned about someone you think is sleeping rough in your
community? Let the Housing Options team
know on 0300 123 5017.
Winter warning signs
Always be on the lookout for signs that something might be
wrong:
- Milk still out on the doorstep late in the day
- Newspapers and post stuck in the letterbox
- Curtains drawn during the day
- Lights on during the day
- A home in darkness when there should be someone at home
- A dog barking all day or the cat scratching to be let in
- Bins not put out on collection days
Power Loss Emergencies
Whilst loss of power is thankfully a rare occurrence, being
ready for such an event is something we all need to do.
SP Energy Networks have outlined steps you can take to ensure
you are prepared should there be an unexpected interruption to
your electricity supply.
Vulnerable Customers
SP Energy Networks keep a Priority Services Register so that
they can contact their most vulnerable customers if they experience
a power interruption. People can be included on the register if
they are dependent on medical equipment, chronically sick,
disabled, or have some other special need that may require a
special level of assistance.
Stay safe, get a proper taxi
Cheshire East Council is keen to remind people to
stay safe by using only licensed taxis.
Hackney carriages, must use a meter to determine the fare for
any journey, and can be hailed in the street or hired from a taxi
rank.
Private Hire Vehicles must be pre-booked and the fare should be
determined at the time of the booking.
Residents are advised to pre-book a taxi for their return home,
through a reputable company, or use an official rank.
The
Institute of Licensing has produced a 'Taxi Safe' poster
designed to encourage more awareness amongst taxi users.
