Cover up and keep warm this winter
With the UK still in the middle of an arctic freeze and temperatures plunging as low as -14C in some areas, NHS choices have come up with some advice to protect yourself and your family against the cold.
Keeping warm is the main way to protect yourself during the cold weather. In the UK every winter there are 25-30,000 deaths linked to the cold weather, with elderly people at particular risk. Half of the deaths caused by the cold weather is down to either heart attacks or strokes.
We all come down with a cold or a bought of flu around this time of year, but did you know how dangerous it is to leave it untreated? Every year, thousands of people die from complications following an outbreak of flu.
Hypothermia too is a main concern during the cold weather, with older people, babies and those with medical conditions, such as heart problems, strokes and severe arthritis are actually at higher risk of hypothermia than others.
When temperatures go below freezing, frostbite can occur and you need to know how to protect yourself from it. Same goes with icy pavements, as you're more at risk of falling over and fracturing something.
For more information and expert advice on keeping safe this winter, go to the NHS choices website, nhs.co.uk