News and Events
News
Events
Tips for Hot Weather
Here are our tips for staying safe and healthy when the sun is shining and temperatures are rising. While the sun offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to be mindful of potential risks.
Here are some key considerations for a safe and enjoyable time in the heat:
Stay Cool and Hydrated
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to stay hydrated.
Find ways to stay cool, especially during peak heat hours.
Keep Sun Safe
Avoid sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancers by using at least SPF30 sunscreen.
Minimize sun exposure between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Manage Long-Term Health Conditions
Heat can worsen certain health conditions. Be extra cautious and seek medical advice if needed.
Some medications may affect tolerance
to hot weather.
Take Care When Swimming
If swimming outdoors, ensure it’s a safe and monitored area.
Look for warning signs and hidden dangers. Choose swimming pools with lifeguards.
Look Out for Others
Regularly check on vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and those living alone.
If needed, encourage them to seek medical advice or contact NHS 111.
Be Alert to Heat-related Illnesses
Symptoms may include dizziness, irritability, faintness, fatigue, excessive thirst, or muscle spasms.
Cool down and hydrate. If symptoms persist, especially for 30 minutes, seek medical advice.
Keep Food Safety in Mind
Whether having a BBQ or picnic, practice good food hygiene.
Warm weather creates ideal conditions for bacteria. Follow food safety guidelines.
Additional Resources
Sandwell Council Website
Find more information and resources on staying well in hot weather.
Beat the Heat Poster
Download and print the informative poster available in various languages.
Remember
Enjoying the sun is wonderful, but prioritizing your wellbeing ensures a safe and pleasant experience. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay informed for a fantastic time in the summer sun!
Keeping Warm, Staying Healthy
We want to help you stay warm and healthy during the chilly months. Whether you’re indoors or out and about, taking care of your well-being is crucial, especially for individuals aged 65 and over or those with long-term health conditions.
Flu Protection
Why Get the Flu Vaccine
Increased Risk
Fewer people may have built up natural immunity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dual Infection Risks
Contracting flu and COVID-19 simultaneously increases the likelihood of severe illness.
Protective Shield
Getting vaccinated not only safeguards you but also those around you.
Learn more about Flu Protection
Book your COVID-19 Booster
Stay Warm Inside and Out
Keeping your home warm is essential, especially for your health. Low indoor temperatures can impact well-being, particularly for older individuals or those with medical conditions. Take simple steps to ensure a cozy home environment and explore financial support options for heating bills.
Tips for Keeping Warm
Room Heating
Maintain rooms you spend time in at a minimum of 18°C.
Draft Reduction
Use draft excluders to minimize drafts around doors.
Layer Up
Wear several layers of clothing for better insulation.
Keep Moving for Health
Daily movement is a key contributor to overall health. You don’t need a gym; find simple ways to stay active at home or in local outdoor spaces. Break up your day with short bursts of movement to boost energy levels.
#MoveMoreSandwell
Easy Daily Exercises
Incorporate simple exercises into your routine.
Outdoor Activities
Explore local spaces for walks or light exercises.
Health Advice When Unwell
If you’re feeling unwell, especially if you’re aged 65 or fall into high-risk groups, seek medical help promptly. Consult your local pharmacy for minor illnesses or contact your GP online or over the phone. Don’t hesitate to use NHS 111 for urgent medical problems.
Staying Safe in Cold Weather
Winter brings its challenges, but preparation is key. Learn how to protect yourself, your home, and support others in your community during cold weather.
Home Safety Measures
Incorporate simple exercises into your routine.
Heating
Optimization
Service your heating appliances
regularly for efficiency.
Fuel Selection
Choose cleaner fuels for
stoves and open fires.
Chimney
Maintenance
Regular chimney sweeps
reduce the risk of fires.
Help from Adult Social Care
For those needing support to live independently, Sandwell Council’s adult social care services offer advice and assistance. Reach out for information on services that can enhance your well-being.
Contact Information
Phone:
Combatting Loneliness
Feeling lonely can affect your mood, so staying connected is crucial. Reach out to services offering regular phone chats, providing support when needed.
Loneliness Support
- Samaritans: 116 123
- Cruse Bereavement Care: 0808 808 1677
- Winter is a time to prioritise health and wellbeing. Embrace these tips to stay warm, active, and connected, ensuring a happy and healthy season for you and your community.
Success Stories
News and Events
News
Events
Tips for Hot Weather
Here are our tips for staying safe and healthy when the sun is shining and temperatures are rising. While the sun offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to be mindful of potential risks.
Here are some key considerations for a safe and enjoyable time in the heat:
Stay Cool and Hydrated
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to stay hydrated.
Find ways to stay cool, especially during peak heat hours.
Keep Sun Safe
Avoid sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancers by using at least SPF30 sunscreen.
Minimize sun exposure between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Manage Long-Term Health Conditions
Heat can worsen certain health conditions. Be extra cautious and seek medical advice if needed.
Some medications may affect tolerance
to hot weather.
Take Care When Swimming
If swimming outdoors, ensure it’s a safe and monitored area.
Look for warning signs and hidden dangers. Choose swimming pools with lifeguards.
Look Out for Others
Regularly check on vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and those living alone.
If needed, encourage them to seek medical advice or contact NHS 111.
Be Alert to Heat-related Illnesses
Symptoms may include dizziness, irritability, faintness, fatigue, excessive thirst, or muscle spasms.
Cool down and hydrate. If symptoms persist, especially for 30 minutes, seek medical advice.
Keep Food Safety in Mind
Whether having a BBQ or picnic, practice good food hygiene.
Warm weather creates ideal conditions for bacteria. Follow food safety guidelines.
Additional Resources
Sandwell Council Website
Find more information and resources on staying well in hot weather.
Beat the Heat Poster
Download and print the informative poster available in various languages.
Remember
Enjoying the sun is wonderful, but prioritizing your wellbeing ensures a safe and pleasant experience. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay informed for a fantastic time in the summer sun!
Keeping Warm, Staying Healthy
We want to help you stay warm and healthy during the chilly months. Whether you’re indoors or out and about, taking care of your well-being is crucial, especially for individuals aged 65 and over or those with long-term health conditions.
Flu Protection
Why Get the Flu Vaccine
Increased Risk
Fewer people may have built up natural immunity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dual Infection Risks
Contracting flu and COVID-19 simultaneously increases the likelihood of severe illness.
Protective Shield
Getting vaccinated not only safeguards you but also those around you.
Learn more about Flu Protection
Book your COVID-19 Booster
Stay Warm Inside and Out
Keeping your home warm is essential, especially for your health. Low indoor temperatures can impact well-being, particularly for older individuals or those with medical conditions. Take simple steps to ensure a cozy home environment and explore financial support options for heating bills.
Tips for Keeping Warm
Room Heating
Maintain rooms you spend time in at a minimum of 18°C.
Draft Reduction
Use draft excluders to minimize drafts around doors.
Layer Up
Wear several layers of clothing for better insulation.
Keep Moving for Health
Daily movement is a key contributor to overall health. You don’t need a gym; find simple ways to stay active at home or in local outdoor spaces. Break up your day with short bursts of movement to boost energy levels.
#MoveMoreSandwell
Easy Daily Exercises
Incorporate simple exercises into your routine.
Outdoor Activities
Explore local spaces for walks or light exercises.
Health Advice When Unwell
If you’re feeling unwell, especially if you’re aged 65 or fall into high-risk groups, seek medical help promptly. Consult your local pharmacy for minor illnesses or contact your GP online or over the phone. Don’t hesitate to use NHS 111 for urgent medical problems.
Staying Safe in Cold Weather
Winter brings its challenges, but preparation is key. Learn how to protect yourself, your home, and support others in your community during cold weather.
Home Safety Measures
Incorporate simple exercises into your routine.
Heating
Optimization
Service your heating appliances
regularly for efficiency.
Fuel Selection
Choose cleaner fuels for
stoves and open fires.
Chimney
Maintenance
Regular chimney sweeps
reduce the risk of fires.
Help from Adult Social Care
For those needing support to live independently, Sandwell Council’s adult social care services offer advice and assistance. Reach out for information on services that can enhance your well-being.
Contact Information
Phone:
Combatting Loneliness
Feeling lonely can affect your mood, so staying connected is crucial. Reach out to services offering regular phone chats, providing support when needed.
Loneliness Support
- Samaritans: 116 123
- Cruse Bereavement Care: 0808 808 1677
- Winter is a time to prioritise health and wellbeing. Embrace these tips to stay warm, active, and connected, ensuring a happy and healthy season for you and your community.
Success Stories
Stoptober is back!
Over 5 million adults in England still smoke. Smoking causes 64,000 deaths a year, making it the biggest cause of preventable illness and death. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health.
We want to encourage and support you in quitting smoking this October. If you quit smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good. When you quit smoking the benefits start almost immediately. After 8 hours, harmful carbon monoxide levels in your blood will have reduced by half. After 48 hours your senses of taste and smell are improving. After 2 to 12 weeks circulation will have improved, and after 3 to 9 months lung function increases by up to 10%.
Stopping smoking doesn’t only improve your physical health. It can also boost your mental health and wellbeing. Stopping smoking can improve your mood and help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.
It a common belief that smoking help you relax, but smoking increases anxiety and tension.
Smoking interferes with certain chemical in your brain. When smokers haven’t smoked for a while, the craving makes them feel irritable and anxious. These cravings go away when they smoke. This leads smokers to associate improved mood or feeling calmer with smoking. Cutting out smoking improves your mood and can reduce anxiety.
We have a specialist stop smoking service called Smoke Free Sandwell. This is available to anyone who lives, works or is registered with a Sandwell GP. The service offers you support to quit for 12 weeks. This includes all forms of nicotine replacement, lozenges, vapes and advice on other medication.
We can help you work out the best products for you as an individual to support your quit journey. There are lots of different ways to access our free support offer. Such as face to face appointments, telephone support and our specialist Smokefree app. Our service is free friendly and can boost your chances of quitting for good. Our expert advisors can provide, information, advice and support!
It’s never too late to quit. Even if you have tried to quit before, give it another go!
Here are some hints and tips from us so you can prepare for Stoptober:
- Set up a quit plan with the help of Smoke Free Sandwell
- Tell your friends and family your plans to quit- someone might join you!
- Be honest about the challenges you’re going to face. Remember you can talk to our specialist advisors. They can help you with any concerns or worries.
- Throw out all your cigarettes and tobacco products- anything that might trigger you to start again. Freshen anything that smells like smoke, wash your clothes, clean carpets and if possible shampoo furniture.
- Think about what’s going to trigger you- if you smoke when you are stressed or anxious, work out some alternative ways to calm down.
- Decide why you want to quit- is it for your health, your family, or to save money?
- Try different activities to keep you motivated, so that you can fill the time you would be smoking with something positive.
Contact the Healthy Sandwell team today for the support you need for Stoptober:
You can also find more information by visiting our Healthy Body page and clicking the “Smoking Support” tab.
