Free thermometers
Published on 05 November 2010 02:30 PM
Pensioners can get a free thermometer from Age Cymru and NHS Direct Wales to make sure their homes are warm enough during the winter months.
The thermometers have been produced to help older people stay in good health over the winter as part of the Keep Well this Winter campaign.
Age Cymru's Health Initiatives Officer Rhian Pearce explains:
"Older people need to look after their health during the winter months because the cold can have a detrimental effect on their health.
"Exposure to cold temperatures can lead to older people suffering from hypothermia and increase the risk of a stroke, heart attack or respiratory illnesses.
"This is why it is so important that older people are able to monitor the temperature in their homes and keep it between the safe range of 65 and 70 degrees Farenheit, which is 18 to 21 degrees Celsius."
The thermometers are available from NHS Direct Wales and participating Age Concerns across Wales as part of the Keep Well this Winter campaign.
Leanne Hawker, the Partners in Healthcare Lead for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust/NHS Direct Wales says:
‘'These thermometers are a simple way to help people stay safe and warm in their homes this winter.
"The thermometers also have contact details for NHS Direct Wales - we are available to answer winter health enquiries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.''
For your free thermometer, contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647, or telephone a participating Age Concern.
Participating Age Concerns:
- Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, tel: (029) 2052 1052
- Age Concern Ceredigion, tel: (01970) 615 151
- Age Concern Gwent, tel: (01633) 240190
- Age Concern Gwynedd a Môn, tel: (01286) 677711
- Age Concern Morgannwg, tel: (01443) 490650
- Age Concern Neath Port Talbot, tel: (01792) 818200
- Age Concern North East Wales tel: 08450 549 969
- Age Concern North Wales Central, tel: (01745) 816947
- Age Concern Pembrokeshire, tel: (01437) 769972
- Age Concern Powys, tel: (01982) 553436
- Age Concern Sir Gâr, tel: (01554) 784 080
- Age Concern Swansea, tel: (01792) 648866