Be a good winter neighbour

Cheshire East Council is urging residents to be good 'winter neighbours' – as we enter the coldest snap of winter 2014 so far this weekend (December 5-7).

As part of the Winter Wellbeing campaign, the Council would like people to check in on their friends and neighbours, especially if they are older or if they have heart or breathing problems, as they may need your help and our support.

Frost is expected over the next five days, especially Monday night with minimum temperatures down to between zero and minus 4C.

The winter cold can be distressing to some and a phone call or a knock at the door can make all the difference and can brighten their day.

And with temperatures now dropping, it is worth considering if someone's home is warm enough. Living rooms should be heated to 21C and bedrooms to 18C.

Information about heating repairs can be found at here or by ringing 0300 123 5017. Also, note if your neighbour has enough food and medicines to prevent them having to go out in very cold or icy weather.

The Council has listed some winter warning signs for residents to be on the lookout for that could indicate if something is wrong:

• Milk still out on the doorstep late in the day;
• Newspapers and post stuck in the letterbox;
• Curtains drawn during the day;
• Lights on during the day;
• A home in darkness when there should be someone at home;
• A dog barking all day or the cat scratching to be let in;
• Bins not put out on collection days.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Care and Health in the Community Portfolio Holder, said: "As temperatures fall, there will be many who are worried either about their own ability to cope, or about another adult, and maybe looking for social care support. Or there will be those who are looking for services to support families or children."

Cllr Clowes added: "We're sharing information on our Facebook page and website and I would appeal to all members of the public to pass information on to their loved ones who may be isolated and vulnerable at this time."

Cheshire East Council and its partners are always here to help. The winter page on our website provides a wealth of advice and we urge residents to contact us, either by email or phone, if they have concerns.

For concerns about the welfare or safety of an adult, call 0300 123 5010 (8.30am-5pm) or 0300 123 5022 outside these hours. The family information service is available on 0300 123 5033. For concerns about the welfare or safety of a child, call 0300 123 5012 (8.30am-5pm) or 0300 123 5022 outside these hours.

For domestic abuse assistance, call the Cheshire East domestic abuse family safety unit on 01606 363532 or the national 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247.

For further winter-related advice, please visit here or here.

Residents can help friends and neighbours who do not have internet access by downloading and printing off information from the website and giving it to them.

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