A leading insurance comparison firm is revealing the top winter driving hacks that could help motorists avoid higher premiums and retain those all-important No Claims Bonuses.
Quotezone.co.uk says many motorists overlook the winter conditions and can make unnecessary mistakes that will hit them hard in the pocket.
The firm, one of the UK’s leading car insurance comparison websites, says even minor adjustments in behaviour could save hundreds of pounds. Here they lay out some of the pitfalls motorists can find themselves in this winter:
Defrosting – It is tempting to leave the engine running while the windscreen unfreezes, and the car warms up. However, if an opportunistic thief takes the vehicle, many insurance companies will not cover the loss.
Leaving engines running is also an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Doing this is known as ‘idling’,and is bad for the environment as it increases the amount of dangerous gases emitted into the air from the car’s exhaust.
Don’t use boiling water on windscreens – Glass can crack when it experiences a sudden change in temperature, and windscreen damage isn’t always covered by a standard car insurance policy.
Simply using a frost guard, a defogger or even homemade de-icer – lukewarm water mixed with rubbing alcohol.
Clear your windscreen before you set-off – Windscreens with inhibited views can land owners with a £1,000 fine and three points on a driving licence. So any leaves, snow, ice, mud or even condensation, needs to be fully cleared before setting out.
Check tyres – Motorists can be fined an eye-watering £2,500 for each faulty tyre and receive three points on their driving licence. If the police see another tyre falling short, it doubles to £5,000 and six points. Four faulty tyres could even see the maximum 12 points – resulting in the loss of a driving licence.
Commercial vehicle drivers, where the car or van is owned by their employer – could land firms with penalties of up to £20,000.
Numberplate – Excess mud and grit on the roads this time of year can make your car dirty very quickly, and if the numberplate isn’t clearly visible, drivers could face a fine of £1,000.
Floods – Some car insurance policies include clauses advising policyholders not to drive through flooded roads, and may specifically exclude cover for any water damage to the car if the motorist goes against this advice.
Avoid puddles – Soaking pedestrians by deliberately driving through large puddles can results in a £100 fine and three penalty points.
Greg Wilson, Founder of car insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk said: “As winter approaches, it’s not just the fines that motorists should worry about, points on a driving licence are noted by insurers as a sign of how safe a driver is and what the risk of a claim might be when calculating premiums.
“Three points on a licence can add 5% to premiums every year until the points are spent after four years. Six points pushes premiums up by as much as 25%, and let’s not forget No Claims Bonuses and what they might be worth if they’ve been built up over time and now have to be accrued again from scratch.
“Careful, considerate and patient drivers who plan for the winter weather and adjust their behaviour to meet the conditions give themselves the best chance of avoiding points and keeping their premiums low.”
Last year saw a year on year increase of 170% in dog thefts across the UK. With this in mind the insurance experts at Protectivity give their top five tips on how best to prevent dog theft.
It should come as first nature to dog walkers and owners but leaving dogs unattended in public spaces increases the chance of you falling foul to thieves dramatically.
That includes leaving dogs tied up outside shops or other businesses, inside a parked car or at the park.
The less time a dog is out of your sight, the less chance there is for the dog to be stolen.
2. Ensure your setting is secure
If your business involves keeping dogs on your premises, or even if you are visiting those of your clients, making sure they are secure is hugely important.
We all know dogs can sometimes take off of their own accord, so it’s worth checking that fences and property boundaries will keep even the most inquisitive dog inside.
By keeping your dogs inside, you can also keep potential thieves out.
3. Watch what you post on social media
Social media can be a great place to showcase your business to potential clients but it also comes with potential risks.
Posting your walks, daily activities or generally marketing your business is good, however there’s also the chance it’ll tell potential thieves where and when there’s an opportunity to steal a dog.
If you must post daily about your dog walks, it’s worth mixing things up to avoid a regular routine that can set you up for the risk of dog napping.
4. Ask that your clients’ dogs have good recall
Letting dogs off the lead when out on a walk obviously gives them an opportunity for a good run to burn off some steam, but it’s always worth ensuring they come back when called.
Should they fail to return on demand it increases the chances of them being snatched by thieves.
Whether you train the dogs yourself, or ask the owners to make an effort to teach dogs good recall, it can increase the safety of the pooches in your care.
5. Invest in a dog GPS system
It might seem an extreme investment, but with the value of certain dog breeds in the thousands, the outlay of a dog GPS system might be money well spent.
There are a number of options on the market, starting from around £50, so if you’ve got a lot of different animals in your care it can be a wise investment.
Should they take off, or worse still, be stolen, a tracker will allow you and the owner to see exactly where they go.
One in eight UK men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
Dr Rhianna McCylmont explains the main symptoms and treatment options
Movember aims to raise awareness of the key health issues impacting men, helping them to identify symptoms and get diagnosed whilst their conditions are still treatable.
One of the main focuses is prostate cancer, which is the most diagnosed form of cancer amongst men in the UK. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime 1.
Below, Dr Rhianna McClymont, lead GP at the digital healthcare provider, Livi, reveals some of the key facts about the disease, including the main warning signs and what to do about them:
Who’s at risk?
The prostate is an organ that only men have, and its main function is to produce the white fluid which mixes with sperm to create semen.
Dr Rhianna said: “Although prostate cancer can affect men of any age, it’s most commonly diagnosed in older age groups, particularly over 50s.
“Research has also found that men of an African, or African-Caribbean descent are also more at risk from the cancer compared to men from other ethnicities.”
What can increase the risk of prostate cancer?
Dr Rhianna said: “There are various factors that can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, including family history. The risk increases if a male member of your family developed prostate cancer before the age of 60.
“Another factor which can increase the risk is obesity, with NHS information suggesting that obesity may be linked to an increased likelihood of the development of prostate cancer.”
What are the symptoms?
Dr Rhianna said: “Unfortunately, prostate cancer can often be symptomless, which is why it’s so important to have your prostate checked regularly as you get older.”
When symptoms do appear, particularly as the illness becomes more advanced, they can include:
Increased frequency in needing to urinate
Difficulty when starting to pee, or a weak flow
Feeling like your bladder hasn’t fully emptied
Feeling an urgent need to urinate
How is it tested?
Dr Rhianna said: “If you notice you have any symptoms related to prostate cancer, you might be offered a PSA, or Prostate Specific Antigen test. This is taken as a blood test and can indicate the presence of prostate cancer.
“Your GP will also suggest an examination of your prostate, which is undertaken through a rectal exam.
“If either or both of these tests indicate the possible presence of prostate cancer, then you will undertake an MRI scan to assess the prostate, and a biopsy will be used to officially diagnose the condition.”
What are the treatment options?
Dr Rhianna said: “Treatment of prostate cancer depends largely on the severity of the condition, and how far advanced it is, as well as other factors including whether it has spread to other areas of your body, and your general health.
“Treatment options are varied and include surgery to remove the prostate (a prostatectomy), radiotherapy, hormone therapy, or ‘watchful waiting’, where the cancer is considered to be relatively minor, and poses little threat of spreading, or developing further within the patient’s lifetime, so is left untreated but closely monitored.”
Dr Rhianna adds: “Movember has done a fantastic job of raising awareness of male-specific health conditions such as prostate cancer, and thankfully so, as it’s incredibly common, but often treatable if caught early enough.
“The good news is that whilst the condition is common amongst men and potentially very serious, most patients diagnosed with it do survive. This is why it’s so important for men to be aware of the signs and symptoms and understand the need to be checked as they get older.”
For more information about prostate cancer, visit:
GP offers advice on how to talk to them about mental health
A quarter of UK people experience mental health problems during their lives
Mental health problems are common, with one in four Brits experiencing them during their lives. However, there is often a stigma around mental health, which can make people feel uncomfortable talking about it or seeking help.
Ahead of World Mental Health Day (10th October), Dr Rhianna McClymont, lead GP at online service, Livi, has offered her advice on the best ways to raise mental health issues with your doctor, to encourage those dealing with mental health issues to ask for help when they need it.
1) When should I ask for help?
As a rule of thumb, you should look for help if your mental health starts to impact your everyday life, or if you feel that you’re struggling to manage the problem by yourself. In these cases, you can book yourself into a GP for an appointment.
In more severe cases, and if you have any thoughts about harming yourself or others, you should refer yourself to a local mental health crisis team, or consider checking in to A&E, where there are psychiatric liaison teams onsite.
Dr McClymont says: “Getting help early can limit the impact that a mental health problem has on you, your mood and the quality of your life. If you need specialised help for mental health, a GP can refer you to a psychiatry team.
“Anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns are common, and nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.”
2)Should I prepare for my appointment beforehand?
Whilst you won’t need to do any in-depth preparation for your appointment, it’s a good idea to know in advance what you want to talk about, what particular issues you want to address, and whether you want a friend or family member to join the appointment with you.
Dr McClymont says: “Knowing what you want to talk about can make your appointment much more effective when it comes to dealing with the issues. It can also be a good idea to record your feelings in a journal before your appointment. This will give you much more information to share with your GP that you might otherwise forget.
“You should also be prepared to inform your GP of any drugs or medication that you’re taking, as these can sometimes impact your mental health. Whether the drugs are prescription or recreational, legal or illegal, being honest with your GP will help them to address the problem.”
3) What will the appointment be like?
Your GP will ask you a series of questions about how you’re feeling and what issues you’re experiencing due to the mental health problems. They may also ask you about your family’s medical history to determine whether that could be a factor. In some cases, the GP may conduct some physical checks, such as a blood pressure test.
Dr McClymont says: “Sometimes, talking about your feelings, traumatic events in your past, or your own triggers for mental illness can be difficult.
“Take your time, but do try to bring up anything you feel could be important, as it will help you get the right treatment.”
4) What might the GP recommend?
The first step your GP will take is to determine whether there are any lifestyle changes that can be made to address the problems. This can include action like stopping smoking, reducing the amount of alcohol you’re drinking, or changing to an alternative prescription medication.
If further treatment is needed, then your doctor might suggest that you begin taking antidepressants, refer you to counselling or other therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and may recommend a nearby charity or organisation that can help.
Dr McClymont says: “Sometimes a change in lifestyle is all that’s needed to improve your mental health. Things like smoking or drinking can start as a coping mechanism to deal with things like stress at work, but they can quickly become contributing factors to the deterioration of your mental health.
“In other cases, we may find that direct treatment, whether through medication or counselling, is the best option.”
5) Are there other forms of help?
There are lots of groups and organisations that have been set up to help people with mental health problems, and to allow people suffering to be able to communicate their experiences to others who have faced similar issues.
You can also talk about your mental health with friends and family or write about your experiences in a journal. These techniques can often help you deal with mental health problems by relieving some of the burden through confiding in others. However, it’s important to state that you should always seek additional help if this doesn’t seem to be working.
Dr McClymont says: ‘There are many different mental health charities available that are excellent at offering advice and further support if needed. If you have health problems that are affecting your work, it may also be helpful to talk to your manager or HR department. You don’t need to disclose more than you’re comfortable with, but it can give you another avenue for practical support.
“Mental health problems are often incredibly difficult to talk to others about, however opening up about your struggles is often the first step in overcoming them. Seeking medical help or advice in times of personal crisis is a hugely important part of dealing with the problem and should never be taken as a sign of weakness.”
For more information on talking about your mental health problems, visit:
The brand new E10 fuel has been introduced in the UK, designed to cut CO2 emissions by quite a considerable amount, however, it still won’t affect whether cars have to pay an emissions tax.
Recently, Google Maps introduced notifications to drivers hat they’re about to enter a low-emission zone that could incur a hefty fine.
Several major cities in the UK have schemes in place, but where the zones begin is often unclear – and can catch drivers out. Alex Kindred, car insurance expert at Confused.com explains what they are, where they are, and how you can avoid an accidental fine.
What are Low Emission Zones (LEZ) or Clean Air Zones (CAZ)?
A Low Emission Zone (LEZ), or Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is put in place with the aim of reducing pollution levels and to improve air quality in the area – usually towns and cities.
In most cases, you’ll only pay to travel through these zones if your vehicle doesn’t meet minimum emissions standards. If you don’t pay the fee, you may have to pay a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
Why do we have Low Emission Zones (LEZ) or Clean Air Zones (CAZ)?
The latest IPCC report has been named a ‘code red for humanity’, meaning our attempts to tackle CO2 emissions are vital in order to keep the rise in global temperatures well below 1.5C in the next century.
The report shows that humanity emits approximately 40 billion tonnes of CO2 every year.
With such high numbers, the IPCC report authors believe we are destined to hit a global temperature increase of 1.5C by 2040 if emissions aren’t slashed in upcoming years, highlighting the importance of measures such as Low Emission Zones.
Will my vehicle trigger a fine?
Most fees apply to diesels built before September 2015. Usually these vehicles don’t meet emissions standards and in some cases the fees don’t apply to petrol cars built after January 2006.
Which cities are creating Low Emission Zones?
Birmingham, London, Oxford, Bristol and Scotland are all planning to have Low Emission Zones (LEZ) or Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in the near future.
Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone
On 1 June 2021, Birmingham launched its Clean Air Zone. It’ll operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
You can enter the zone with no charge if your vehicle is one of the following:
A moped or a motorcycle
A diesel vehicle minimum standard Euro 6A
A petrol vehicle minimum standard Euro 4
A vehicle with zero emissions (electric, hydrogen)
Cars that don’t meet emissions standards will pay £8 per day.
Residents with a car registered within the CAZ will be exempt from the charge for two years.
Support available:
The Birmingham local authority has support available to help people adjust to the CAZ. For example, a £1,000 mobility credit or £2000 scrappage scheme.
London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is in central London within the same area of the congestion charge zone and it covers all vehicles that don’t meet emissions standards.
In 2020, they announced that the ULEZ would extend to create a single larger zone bounded by the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205).
The charge:
If your vehicle doesn’t meet the emissions standards, then you’ll receive a daily fee. This can be up to £200 for some vehicles.
Is my vehicle exempt?
Check if your vehicle meets emissions standards on the Transport for London website here.
Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone
Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone will now run in summer this year. The zone will cover five streets in the centre of Oxford to begin with and a larger Green Zone will expand and cover the rest of the city centre.
You can enter the zone with no charge if your vehicle is one of the following:
A cars that emits 50 g of CO2/km and can drive 70 miles without any emissions
A van that emits less than 75 g of CO2/km and can drive 10 miles without any emissions
Motorcycles and mopeds that don’t emit any CO2
The charge:
Vehicles that don’t meet emissions standards will face a charge of £10 between the hours of 7am and 7pm.
There’ll be a discount for blue badge holders until December 2024.
Oxford residents will receive a 90% discount until 2030.
Bristol’s Clean Air Zone
According to Bristol.gov.uk, 71% of vehicles in Bristol are already compliant and so only a minority of vehicles driving in the CAZ could be charged. The scheme implemented in Bristol is exactly the same as the one in Birmingham, which means you can use the tool here to check your vehicle’s registration.
You can enter the zone with no charge if your vehicle is one of the following:
A moped or a motorcycle
A diesel vehicle minimum standard Euro 6A
A petrol vehicle minimum standard Euro 4
A vehicle with zero emissions (electric, hydrogen)
A low emissions vehicle
The charges:
Non-compliant vehicles would only be charged once in each 24-hour period, and they would apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Private petrol cars: £9 per day
Private diesel cars: £9 per day
Taxis: £9 per day
LGVs: £9 per day
HGVs: £100 per day
Buses: £100 per day
Coaches: £100 per day
Scotland’s Low Emission Zones
LEZs were proposed for Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow but these plans have been delayed due to coronavirus. All being well, the zones should go ahead between February and May 2022.
Edinburgh’s plans
The Edinburgh LEZ will apply to the city centre for all vehicles that don’t meet emissions standards.
Glasgow’s plans
Glasgow introduced a LEZ in 2018, but it only applies to local service buses. In 2022 it’ll apply to all vehicles entering the zone that don’t meet emissions standards.
Aberdeen’s plans
Currently Aberdeen are still consulting the public on their Low Emission Zone, but more progress will be made this year.
Dundee’s plans
Dundee’s low emission zone should be implemented between February and May 2022. It will apply to all vehicles that don’t meet emissions standards.
Worried about getting an accidental fine for driving into a low emission zone? Alex Kindred, car insurance expert at Confused.com has provided these three tips for motorists to ensure they don’t get a hefty bill in the post:
Upgrade to a low-emissions vehicle using a manufacturer scrappage scheme to help with the cost
“Upgrading to a newer vehicle that meets the standards could mean opting for an electric vehicle. The government no longer runs an official scrappage scheme to encourage drivers to upgrade to a low-emission vehicle, but many car manufacturers do, including Citroen, Dacia, Hyundai, Kia, Renault and Toyota.
Consider retrofitting your current vehicle, but this can be costly
“Some older vehicles may be able to be retrofitted with emissions reduction technology such as selective catalytic reduction (which reduces NOx emissions) or even converting the vehicle to electric power.
“But any retrofitting would have to be approved. If you’re able to show a booking with a CVRAS-approved fitter or an approved retrofit solution, you get a three-month grace period and might not have to pay the LEZ driving charge if driving in the zone
Use Google Maps as your SatNav
“Google Maps will now notify drivers that they’re about to enter a low-emission zone that could incur a hefty fine. So if you’re driving in one of the areas that has emission zones in place, it’s worth having this installed and working to alert you if you’re close to a zone.“
Government unveils plans to overhaul tipping practices, helping around 2 million people top up their income
UK Government to tackle shameful tipping practices and ensure all tips go to workers
plans will help around 2 million UK workers retain their tips, which can make up a large proportion of income for many hospitality workers
customers will know tips are going to the worker for a fair day’s work
All tips will go to staff under new plans to overhaul tipping practices set out by the UK Government today (Friday 24 September), providing a financial boost to hospitality workers across the country.
Most hospitality workers – many of whom are earning the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage – rely on tipping to top up their income. But research shows that many businesses that add a discretionary service charge onto customer’s bills are keeping part or all of these service charges, instead of passing them onto staff.
The government will make it illegal for employers to withhold tips from workers. The move is set to help around 2 million people working in one of the 190,000 businesses across the hospitality, leisure and services sectors, where tipping is common place and can make up a large part of their income.
This will ensure customers know tips are going in full to workers and not businesses, ensuring workers receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
Tipping legislation will build on a range of government measures to protect and enhance workers’ rights. In the past 18 months alone, the government has introduced parental bereavement leave, protected new parents on furlough, and given millions a pay rise through a higher minimum wage.
Labour Markets Minister Paul Scullysaid: “Unfortunately, some companies choose to withhold cash from hardworking staff who have been tipped by customers as a reward for good service.
“Our plans will make this illegal and ensure tips will go to those who worked for it. This will provide a boost to workers in pubs, cafes and restaurants across the country, while reassuring customers their money is going to those who deserve it.”
Moves towards a cashless society have accelerated dodgy tipping practices, as an increase in card payments has made it easier for businesses to keep the funds.
80% of all UK tipping now happens by card, rather than cash going straight into the pockets of staff. Businesses who receive tips by card currently have the choice of whether to keep it or pass it on to workers.
Today’s plans will create consistency for those being tipped by cash or card, while ensuring that businesses who already pass on tips fairly aren’t penalised.
The legislation will include:
a requirement for all employers to pass on tips to workers without any deductions
a Statutory Code of Practice setting out how tips should be distributed to ensure fairness and transparency
new rights for workers to make a request for information relating to an employer’s tipping record, enabling them to bring forward a credible claim to an employment tribunal
Under the changes, if an employer breaks the rules they can be taken to an Employment Tribunal, where employees can be forced to compensate workers, often in addition to fines.
Tipping legislation will form part of a package of measures which will provide further protections around workers’ rights.
Building on economic support measures, the UK Government recently announced a range of initiatives to support the hospitality sector through its first ever Hospitality Strategy.
This set out ways to help the sector improve its resilience, including by making hospitality a career option of choice, boosting creativity, and developing a greener sector.
Over a third of Brits won’t tip via card due to lack of confidence it goes to the right person
A recent report from UK Finance has revealed the UK is another step closer towards becoming a cashless society as the number of payments made using notes and coins last year declined by more than a third.
As more businesses decide to go cashless, this new move towards a fast-tracked cashless society is having devasting effects on the nations tipping habits, according to a new report.
The 2021 Tipping Index commissioned by card payment specialist takepayments Limited, surveyed over 2,000 consumers to compare how tipping attitudes and behaviours have changed through the pandemic.
The findings reveal that pre-pandemic, cash was the most favoured payment method for tipping (91%) as almost two thirds (64%) of those that tip this way said they felt more confident the tip would go directly to the person who served them.
However as more businesses are no longer accepting cash, the research reveals less Brits are opting to carry cash as almost one in five (18%) said they no longer carry cash which they would usually leave as a tip.
This new cashless movement is impacting tipping habits as one in four (23%) said they would only leave a tip if they had spare cash on them and one in four (24%) said they would specifically bring cash especially to tip.
Coronavirus and hygiene fears play a part in people tipping less too, as almost one in six (14%) said they are now less likely to leave cash as a tip due to hygiene or health reasons.
While almost three in ten Brits recognise tips are a big part of peoples income, more than a quarter (27%) state that while places no longer accept cash and only accept card payments, tipping isn’t always possible as Brits lack confidence that tips made by card payments go directly to the person who served them (35%).
And for those Brits that do feel confident tipping on card, more than a third (35%) admit they leave a bigger tip when paying cash.
Sandra Rowley at takepayments Limited said: “While the sectors which commonly involve tipping can finally re-open, the professions who rely on tips to top up their income are unfortunately continuing to struggle due to the nation’s lack of knowledge around tips and card payments.
“There is a misconception around card payments and tipping which needs to be highlighted as businesses are able to separate tips from the cost of services when taking card payments.
“The government is set to announce a new proposal for a Tipping Bill next month which will hopefully give the public more knowledge around workers rights and tips, as well as instil confidence around tipping on card.”
The full findings of the takepayments 2021 Tipping Point Report are available to view here.
Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it’s too hot for too long, there are health risks.
In England, there are on average 2000 heat-related deaths every year. If hot weather hits this summer, make sure it does not harm you or anyone you know. The heat can affect anyone, but some people are at greater risk from it.
For some people – especially older people and those with underlying health conditions, as well as those who can’t adapt their behaviour to keep cool or who are exposed to high levels of heat because of where they live or work – the summer heat can bring real health risks. As our climate changes, hot spells are expected to be more frequent and more intense.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important that you know what actions to take to keep yourself and others safe from high temperatures.
Why is a heatwave a problem?
The main health risks posed by a heatwave are:
Not having enough water (dehydration).
Overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing.
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which are potentially serious conditions that can occur if you get too hot.
Tips for coping in hot weather this summer:
Public Health England has published a number of resources outlining the risks of heat during COVID-19 and actions you can take to protect yourself and others. These include a ‘Beat the Heat: coping with heat and COVID-19’ leaflet and poster and a checklist to help keep your home cool, which are available on the Heatwave plan for England collection page. This also includes tips on how you can look out for others safely, whilst following guidance on COVID-19.
Watch out for signs of heat-related illness
If you or someone else feels unwell with a high temperature during hot weather or after physical exertion, you should stay alert to the possibility of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
The top ways to stay safe when the heat arrives are to:
Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated. Older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk.
If you live alone, ask a relative or friend to phone to check that you are not having difficulties during periods of extreme heat.
Stay cool indoors: some of us will spend more time at home this summer so know how to keep your home cool.
Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.
If going outdoors, use cool spaces considerately, keep your distance in line with social distancing guidelines.
Follow COVID-19 social distancing guidance and wash your hands regularly.
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.
Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest.
Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat.
Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day.
Make sure you take water with you, if you are travelling.
Check the latest weather forecast and temperature warnings – you can find these on TV, radio, mobile app or website.
During warm weather going for a swim can provide much welcomed relief, take care and follow local safety advice, if you are going into open water to cool down.
Remember that while COVID-19 restrictions are in place, you will need to follow any additional government guidance to use public spaces safely.
If you have concerns about an uncomfortably hot house that’s affecting your health or someone else’s, get medical advice. You can also get help from the environmental health office at your local authority. They, or an approved local provider, can inspect a home for hazards to health, including excess heat. Find your local authority here.
In addition, Age UK offers a range of free information and advice designed to help older people live well during the summer months and protect themselves when the temperature rises. For more information visit Age UK‘s website.
