Minister Áine Brady urges older people to keep warm during cold spell

Urging older people to follow the advice in the recently published HSE information booklet 'Keep Warm Keep Well' the Minister advised that particular attention be paid to the sections on keeping active and warm.

The Minister advised "while it can be expensive to heat the whole house, it is important that those rooms in use should be heated. It is possible to conserve energy and eliminate draughts by keeping internal doors closed to keep heat in the living area, and by draught-proofing external doors and windows". In certain cases grants are available to improve the efficiency of homes.

The Minister also requested that family, friends and neighbours check on their older neighbours to ensure that they have adequate heating and essential supplies and if necessary assist with shopping. "Travel conditions for drivers and pedestrians are particularly difficult in the current icy conditions and it would be of great benefit if people could ensure that older people need not venture out except when absolutely necessary" the Minister said.

The HSE information booklet 'Keep Warm Keep Well' is available from the HSE Information Line on 1850 24 1850 or from the HSE website.