Health & Safety

HSE Emergency Contact Number

The HSE has an emergency number for older people to call if they are in any danger of not being able to get out to purchase, food, fuel or medicine or any other difficulty they may have.

The number is 1850 24 1850.

Please make this number widely available to local groups and older people living in the community. It could save lives.

Advice on Keeping Well in the Snow

The HSE advise that everyone, especially older or more vulnerable people, should remember to take extra care during the current cold spell and the public are being asked to make a special effort to keep an eye on their neighbours and relatives, particularly those living alone.

Older or vulnerable people should remember to keep warm, eat well and avoid unnecessary travel and people should call on elderly relatives and neighbours and ensure they have sufficient supplies of food and of any prescription drugs they may need. It is also important to ensure that older people have sufficient fuel supplies to maintain adequate heating in their homes.

Keep Warm:

Wear several layers of light clothes instead of one thick layer.
Wear clothes made from wool, cotton or fleecy synthetic fibres.
Wear thermal underwear during the winter.
Sleep with warm bedding and warm pyjamas ornight dress,
Wear bed socks and a night cap, and keep a flask with a hot drink by your bed.

Eat well:

Have at least one hot meal a day.
Have hot drinks throughout the day and one before bedtime.
Eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day.
Keep stocked up on basic food for the days when you may be unable to get out to the shops or do not feel like cooking.
Consider cooking extra portions of dinner that you can freeze for another meal. Tinned and frozen foods are other healthy options to keep in stock.
TIP: Most supermarkets and some grocery shops can deliver your shopping to you. Check with your local store and keep their phone number handy.

You can find out more about keeping safe and warm during the cold weather at the following link: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/Campaigns/snow.html

You can find further information on keeping well this winter in this printable document:

HSE Booklet: Keep Well & Warm pdf, 319kb

Preventing Falls and Trips

The HSE reminds us that as you get older, a fall can result in broken bones, but also in loss of confidence, loss of mobility and fear of leaving your home. Many falls can be prevented, and by making small changes you can lower your chances of falling.

Please read the printable document below to familiarise yourself with the ways in which you yourself can prevent a fall or trip or to advise elderly people that you may be in contact with:

HSE Booklet: Preventing Falls and Trips pdf, 280kb