Beware of KILLER COLD: Elderly should follow these tips to stay safe
THE elderly and vulnerable are urged to follow a few basic tips as cold weather grips Britain.
Weather forecast predicts SNOW for the south east
Sub-zero temperatures could increase the risk of deadly health complications for those aged 75 and over, experts warn.
Professor Mike Tipton, of the University of Portsmouth, said the cold is fatal for 10 times more people than summer heat.
The Office for National Statistics recorded more than 20,000 deaths last winter and 43,900 in 2014-15.
As temperatures plummet, the elderly are put at risk of death
Prof Tipton said the biggest cause is not hypothermia but heart and breathing difficulties.
We have much more winter mortality than in much colder countries… we are not used to long stretches of extreme cold
He said low temperatures can lead to dehydration which causes the blood to thicken increasing the risk of clots.
He said: “The major cause of death in the elderly is respiratory and cardiac problems. The body produces more urine leading to dehydration.
"Dehydration causes the blood to thicken and to divert away from the extremities to prevent heat loss. Water is also lost through the breath.”
Dehydration is a leading cause of death in cold weather
The UK suffers more winter mortalities than other, colder nations
He said the elderly should follow a few basic tips.
They should drink plenty of fluids, not allow used rooms to drop below 68F (20C), avoid going out and wrap up well.
He said: “We have much more winter mortality than in much colder countries… we are not used to long stretches of extreme cold. They prepare for it and we don’t.”
People are advised not to sleep in cold bedrooms
He said deaths among elderly people increase by around one per cent for every 1C drop in temperatures below 20C.
“Keep all rooms that you are occupying above 20C rather than heating one room and then sleeping in a cold bedroom,” he added.
“Keep warm, keep rooms at a steady temperature and avoid going out.”