Weather and environment
Prepare for cold weather, snow and ice
Cold weather can affect health before snow arrives. It can also interrupt deliveries, make paths dangerous and leave homes without normal heating during a power cut. Plan around your household's needs, especially if someone is older, very young, has limited mobility or lives with a long-term health condition.
Published: Updated:
Last checked: 8 November 2026 How we evaluate sources
Keep the rooms you use warm
The Met Office recommends heating your home to at least 18°C, particularly if you are older, have reduced mobility or a health condition. Individual needs differ; use a room thermometer and follow any advice from your care team.
Wear several light layers, reduce draughts and keep bedroom windows closed on cold nights. Move regularly if you can. If heating costs or a broken system leave your home too cold, contact your supplier, landlord or local council early to ask what help is available.
Met Office advice on keeping your home warm (opens in a new tab)
Your cold-weather checklist
- Check heating is working before a cold spell and arrange servicing when needed.
- Keep warm clothes, blankets and torches accessible if the power fails.
- Check food and repeat prescriptions, allowing time for normal ordering and delivery.
- Arrange a daily check-in with someone who may struggle to keep warm or leave home.
- Check Met Office warnings before travel. UKHSA Cold-Health Alerts provide additional health information for England.
UKHSA advice on keeping warm and well in England (opens in a new tab)
Prepare for a heating or power failure
Agree where you could go if your home cannot stay warm, and how you would get there safely. Anyone using powered medical equipment needs a specific backup plan agreed with their care team and equipment provider.
Use heaters only as designed and follow their instructions. Never bring a barbecue or fuel-powered generator indoors. Carbon monoxide can build up without a smell or visible warning. Keep smoke and carbon monoxide alarms working; an alarm does not make outdoor equipment safe inside.
Carbon monoxide risks from indoor use of outdoor equipment (opens in a new tab)
Reduce exposure to snow and ice
Delay journeys in heavy snow or icy conditions if possible. Wear footwear with good grip and allow extra time when walking. Black ice may be hard to see, and compacted snow can stay slippery after fresh snowfall ends.
For an essential car journey, check conditions and carry warm clothing, water, food and a torch. Tell someone your route and expected arrival time. Follow transport and road authority advice for the nation you are travelling in.
Recognise hypothermia and get help
Hypothermia is a medical emergency and can happen indoors. A person may shiver, become confused or unusually tired, slur their speech or breathe slowly. A baby may be cold, floppy, unusually sleepy or unwilling to feed.
While waiting for help, move them indoors or to shelter, remove wet clothing and wrap them in dry blankets, covering their head. Stay with them. Do not use a hot bath, hot-water bottle or heat lamp, rub their limbs or give alcohol.
NHS hypothermia symptoms and immediate actions (opens in a new tab)
Decide when to use your backup warmth plan
Before a cold spell, agree where you could safely go if your home becomes too cold, who can help with transport and how you will get current travel advice. Include medicines, mobility, babies and animals in that conversation. Do not assume a public building is open or can meet your needs: confirm arrangements first.
If heating fails, wear suitable layers and use blankets. Reduce draughts while keeping required ventilation clear. Do not use an oven, barbecue, camping stove or outdoor generator to heat a room. If someone becomes unwell or confused, seek medical help rather than relying on extra blankets alone.
Cold-weather advice from the Met Office (opens in a new tab)Plan for living aloneFind priority utility support
Common questions
Can someone get hypothermia at home?
Yes. Living in a very cold home is a risk, particularly for older people living alone. Seek urgent help if someone has symptoms, rather than waiting for a thermometer reading.
Is 18°C a guarantee that everyone will be warm enough?
No. It is general guidance, and some people need a warmer room. Consider health, mobility, clothing and individual clinical advice, and act if someone is cold or unwell.
Make your next step practical
Keep preparing
Evidence and service information
Sources behind this guidance
We develop our guidance using the sources below. Check the named organisation for current service details, live warnings and local instructions. Sources checked 8 November 2026.
- Keeping your home warm this winterMet Office
- Keeping warm and wellUK Health Security Agency
- Carbon monoxide dangersHealth and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland
- Power cuts and medical equipment planningUK Government Be Ready
- Travelling in heavy snow and iceMet Office
- HypothermiaNHS
- Weather-Health Alerting SystemUK Health Security Agency