Cold weather across Derbyshire

There is an amber alert in effect for the East Midlands between 28/11/2023 at 18:00 and 05/12/2023 at 12:00. Look out for others as temperatures drop this weekend.

Whilst exposure to cold weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly at risk. These include:

• older people (aged 65 years and over)
• people with long-term health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or a mental health condition
• pregnant women
• young children (particularly those aged 5 and under)
• people with learning disabilities
• people at risk of falls
• people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves
• people who are housebound or have low mobility
• people living in deprived circumstances

There are many reasons for the increased risk of ill-health in cold weather. These include:

• poor quality housing and particularly cold homes
• higher frequency of circulating infectious diseases, such as flu and norovirus during the winter months
• physical hazards such as snow and ice.

During cold weather, people may also use malfunctioning or inappropriate appliances to heat their homes. This can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

When a house is damp as well as cold, mould is more likely to occur. This can increase the risk of illness, especially from asthma.

Further guidance and advice on dealing with cold weather is available on the government website.