A council has told elderly residents to wiggle their toes and fingers to help stay warm during a potentially deadly cold spell.
Durham County Council issued the advice as temperatures are set to plunge to as low as -8C over the coming days.
In its winter safety guidance, the council urges people to avoid sitting still for more than an hour indoors.
“Keep moving, even if you’re sitting down,” the advice says. “Just wiggling your fingers and toes will help you keep warm.”
Residents are encouraged to eat hot meals and drink hot drinks regularly throughout the day – as well as close their windows and keep indoor temperatures at 18C or higher.
The Reform-led authority has also urged locals to look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may not have been seen for several days.
Those going outside, meanwhile, should wear multiple layers and shoes with good grip, the council advice says.
Amber cold health alerts have been activated across northern England, covering Northumberland, County Durham, Cumbria, Lancashire and Cheshire.
A council has told has told elderly residents to wiggle their toes and fingers to help stay warm during a potentially deadly cold spell (file photo)
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The UK Health Security Agency warnings came into effect at 8pm on Sunday and will remain until midday on January 5.
These more severe alerts indicate a likely “significant impacts across health and social care services” and “a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions”.
The North East and North West face the most severe conditions, with amber-level alerts in place for these regions.
Forecasters expect temperatures to fall significantly after a notably mild December.
WINTER WEATHER WARNINGS – READ MORE:
The Reform-led council also urged locals to look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may not have been seen for several days
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The month saw highs of 15C and an unusual absence of frost, which caused daffodils to bloom before Christmas.
These flowers typically appear in springtime, around four months later.
From 1 January onwards, temperatures are predicted to drop to between 4C and 6C.
Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said: “We’re losing this sort of settled but chilly conditions, and bringing in something a little bit more showery with more wintry hazards in the forecast, particularly for the north of the country.”
Dr Agostinho Sousa, the UKHSA’s head of extreme events and health protection, warned that the cold poses serious dangers to certain groups.
“The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions,” he said.
He urged people to check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours.
