Keep well this spring

We all need some UV exposure to maintain our Vitamin D levels, but it is still extremely important to protect ourselves from the harmful rays as the temperature increases.

Remember:

• Apply sunscreen everyday as part of your morning routine. Reapply if you are going to be outside for more than 2 hours. Even if it’s cloudy out, the risk of UV damage still exists.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Apply sunscreen and be sure to select products with a SPF (sun protection factor) of 30+ that protects against both UVA and UVB light. Reapply as needed.
• Avoid excessive sun and UV exposure.

Skin cancer

It is important that you check your skin regularly. Find out more about melanoma and non melanoma skin cancer on the Cancer Research website.

Health advice

Look after your health especially during the warm weather. The NHS website has lots of information relating to health conditions including hayfever, asthma, food poisoning, sunburn and heat stroke and lyme disease.

In warm weather, increasing numbers of people, especially children, can be tempted to cool off in bodies of open water. The temptation can prove fatal, as they put themselves at risk of drowning.

It is important to teach children to spot and keep away from the dangers of open water:

• Despite warm temperatures above the water, below the surface it can remain extremely cold. The cold water shock of falling into the open water may cause panic and the weight of a person’s clothes will make it more difficult for them to swim
• The depth of the water can be unpredictable and there may be hidden currents
• It can be difficult to get out of open water with steep and slimy uneven banks
• It can be deep with hidden shelves and sharp drop-offs close to the bank’s edge
• There may be hidden objects and hazards below the water surface
• There are no lifeguards or lifesaving aids nearby
• The water may be polluted with chemicals and may make you ill.

Watch a water safety video from the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service on YouTube.

Further information about water safety is available on the Royal Lifesaving Society UK website.

Being active is great for your physical and mental health – not only can it help manage stress, ease any joint or back pain and boost your energy levels, but it can also improve sleep and lift your mood.

We also know that people who increase their physical activity alongside improving their diet are often more successful at losing weight and keeping it off.

At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity over a week (around 20 minutes or so a day) is recommended, but every minute counts, so start gradually and build up from there. Some is good, and more is better!

Visit the NHS website for ideas on how to be more active.

Lack of sleep is linked to several chronic diseases and conditions, including:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Depression

Tips for good sleep:

• Go to bed and get up at the same time each day, including weekends
• Keep the bedroom quiet, dark, and a comfortable temperature
• Remove electronic devices from the bedroom
• Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime
• Be active during the day to help you fall asleep at night.

Find out more about sleep and sleep disorders on the CDC.gov website.

As we grow older, gradual changes to our health and the medications we take can contribute to an increased risk of falling, but many falls can be prevented. Falls are often due to hazards that are easy to overlook but equally easy to fix.

Follow this advice from Age UK about fall prevention and how you can make your home fall-proof.

Stay well

If you are aware of a neighbour, friend, or relative who is over 65 or has a long-term condition, and may find it difficult to get out, check that they are warm, well and their medicine cabinet and food supplies are stocked up. Having some company may also reduce social isolation.

There is a range of support to protect you from becoming unwell or getting worse if you are already unwell. Pharmacists provide good health advice on a range of minor ailments and can give tips on keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet.

• You should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. In rooms you mostly use such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18°C if you can, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition. You should also keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Exposure to low indoor temperatures can have a serious impact on your health as you get older. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.
• If you have a heating boiler consider getting it serviced. If you can’t afford to heat your home visit Gov.uk for information on the warm home discount scheme or our Housing Standards page.
• Do you need help to upgrade the energy efficiency of your home? Help is available for families on low incomes. Visit the Housing standards, improvements, grants and loans page for more information and how to apply for a grant.

Visit our Financial Support page for information on financial support that the council provides and external organisations.

There are lots of ways you can reduce your energy in your household – every little change makes a difference.

The average home, containing four occupants, now uses 13 electronic appliances (including TVs and laptops). That’s a huge leap compared with 1990, when just four appliances were typically used, according to the Energy Consumption in the UK (ECUK) 2017 report.

Switch off stand-by

You can cave around £55 a year by turning your appliances off standby mode. Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. You may want to think about getting a standby saver or smart plug which allows to turn all your appliances off standby in one go. Some satellite and digital recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.

Draught proof doors and windows

Unless your home is very new, you will lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney.

Cook clever

Using the microwave or a slow cooker is a cheaper alternative to using the oven. Cooking a baked potato in the oven costs 27p, compared to 3p with a microwave. Cooking a casserole in the oven costs 54p but only 22p in the slow cooker.

Turn your thermostat down

This is one of the easiest things to do on this list. For each degree you cut the thermostat, expect to cut bills by around four percent, or about £142 per year on an average typical home.

Turn off lights

Turn your lights off when you are not using them or when you leave a room. This will save you around £20 a year on your annual energy bills. Replacing all the lights in your home with LED bulbs could help you save even more.

Careful with washing machine

You can save around £28 a year from your energy bill just by using your washing machine more carefully. Use your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures. Reduce your washing machine use by one run per week for a year.

Avoid the tumble dryer

Avoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes. Dry clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather to save £60 a year.

Spend less time in the shower

Keeping your shower time to just four minutes cold save a typical household £70 a year on their energy bills.

Swap your bath for a shower

Swap one bath a week for a four-minute shower could save you £12 a year on your electricity bill.

Don’t overfill the kettle

Avoid overfilling the kettle and save £11 per year on your electricity bill.

Fill your dishwasher

Only run your dishwasher when it is full to reduce the amount of water you use. Doing one less run a week could save you £14.

Top up the insulation

Effective insulation of your hot water cylinder could save you £35 a year in the process. Insulating your water tank, pipes and radiators is a quick and easy way to save money.

Use eco mode on appliances

Many appliances have modes which make them operate at different speeds, temperatures and levels of power. For most appliances ‘eco’ mode means operating at a lower speed, which is marketed as being more environmentally friendly and cost saving.

There are some simple steps you can take to look after your mental health by following five ways to wellbeing.

We provide information, advice and guidance to families. If your family or a child/family that you know might be facing challenges visit our children and family support webpage for more information.

We provide information advice and guidance to support living independently, to get out and about and receive care and support. Visit the find local care and support for adults webpage.

If you help another person in their day to day life you are a carer. The Carers’ Support Centre based in Brigg offers information, advice, guidance and activities to carers, including young carers. Visit Carers’ Support Centre website for more information or call 01652 650585.

There is also information and advice for carers and young carers including how to apply for a carers’ assessment, personal assistants and benefits on the Caring for Someone webpage.

Whether you are serving member, a family member, or a veteran there is support available both locally and nationally. Visit our Armed Forces webpage for more information.