A Very Happy  New Year and New Decade – Welcome to 2020!

Winter time can make driving tricky with icy roads, floods, potholes and wet leaves. We have many deep ditches on the sides of our roads which fill with icy water at this time of year – not a pleasant place to be trapped in your car!

The AA have got great tips on how to drive through a flood and in ice so do look it up. I have included a few preparation tips.  https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/seasonal/winter

• Remember to pack a coat and strong shoes throughout the winter. You may get stuck in the snow, flood or mud and need to walk home!  Enough petrol, a blanket and water are useful for motorway journeys, just in case you get stuck in long queues.
• Clear snow from the roof – it can fall onto the windscreen and block your view.
• Replace worn or damaged wiper blades.
• Keep number plates clean, to avoid fines.
• Use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen lock.

Some of you may have seen the team from the CCG at some of our Talking Cafes and Roadshows lately.  They have been joining our agents to give out some key messages to help us stay healthy at home this winter.  Below are some helpful tips aimed especially at people who care for others but useful for everyone too!

Ten Top Tips for to help keep us in good health this winter

1. Pressure ulcers often start in the home.  If you notice a red spot that doesn’t blanch when you press it it could be the start of a pressure ulcer.
2. Do not rub the areas of red skin and this could cause a breakdown of skin.
3. Rubber rings can create areas of increased pressure not prevent them.
4. If incontinence products are used try to not multilayer them as this could increase the risk of pressure ulcers occurring.
5. When moving out of bed try not to ruck up sheets or bedding which could drag on the skin.
6. Where possible, reposition or move regularly to avoid prolonged periods of high pressure.
7. Remember that dehydration does not only occur in the summer.  When we turn the heating on we still need to keep hydrated.
8. Keeping properly hydrated helps to prevent Urinary Tract Infections.
9. Incontinence issues?  Try switching to decaffeinated drinks but switch over slowly to allow the body to get used to the withdrawal of caffeine.  Keep drinking at regular intervals during the day as this can actually help with incontinence issues.
10. Remember good hand hygiene can help prevent against bugs and infections. Infectious illnesses, like ‘flu and norovirus, (the ’winter vomiting bug’), are very common at this time of year and whilst the fit and healthy can recover quickly from their symptoms, the elderly and those living with long term conditions are particularly vulnerable and can become quite ill. Good personal hygiene, like washing your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and before preparing food for others is an essential way to reduce the spread of unpleasant illnesses to friends and family.