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Keeping safe

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Avoiding falls

The risk of falling is higher in the winter when rain and ice make it easier to slip and we’re less mobile, so our joints and muscles stiffen up.

Take simple measures to protect yourself or your family members from falling. 

Keeping active

Eat well and stay hydrated

Get regular eye and hearing checks

Watch for ice, slippery leaves and wet floors

More information:

Worried about a vulnerable or elderly person?

Check on older friends, neighbours and relatives, especially those living alone or who have chronic health conditions.  Make sure they’re safe, warm and well and not feeling lonely. If you’re worried about a vulnerable or elderly person there is advice on our keeping warm page. 

You can also phone Age UK Torbay on 01803 555181 or find more information on keeping well this winter at the Age UK website Age UK – Cold weather advice and tips and Winter advice for the elderly

Managing damp and mould

Keeping your home free of damp and mould helps create a healthier living environment for you and your family.  Follow the HIVE approach:

Heating: try to keep temperatures in all rooms to above 18°C when you are using them – this will reduce condensation forming.

Insulation: this will stop heat escaping through walls, ceilings and windows, making it easier and cheaper to keep the home warm.

Ventilation: this will allow moisture-filled air to escape and be replaced with fresh air. Make sure vents and airbricks are not covered or blocked, use extractor fans and open windows when possible.

(Reduce) Excess moisture: Use extractor fans when showering or cooking, put lids on pots and pans when cooking, avoid drying washing indoors where possible. Consider using a dehumidifier in rooms which are prone to condensation or in rooms where you dry washing. If you live in a rented property and you have tried all the above, but the damp and condensation isn’t going away, then contact your landlord.

Find out more:

Carbon monoxide

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, and poisonous gas produced when fuels like gas, oil, coal, and wood don’t burn completely. If you have cookers, heaters, boilers, a gas fire, an open fire, or a log burner using these fuels, you need a CO detector.

Find guidance and information here: Carbon Monoxide – UK Fire Service Resources and Carbon Monoxide: general information

Travel safely

Highways - Report problems and find travel, parking, road safety and highway maintenance information on the parking, roads and travel page.

You can also get winter driving advice from the AA and RAC.

Gritters - Visit the winter maintenance page for more information on gritting and our routes.

Check the weather

Stay up to date with the weather forecast via Met Office forecast (including links to flood and weather alerts) and think ahead - Are you winter weather ready?

In the home

  • As well as the sources of help listed here, the Torbay Community Helpline is open to Bay residents for help with anything from financial advice to wellbeing support. Call 01803 446022

Contact Public Health