'Keep your bedroom windows closed' warn British authorities issuing cold weather alert

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - UK health security agency on Wednesday issued cold weather alert for England, advising people to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of cold weather.

In a statement, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office warned that all regions of England will experience "severe cold weather" beginning on this evening.

"If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. Try to heat the rooms you use most, such as the living and bedroom, to at least 18°C if you can and keep your bedroom windows closed at night," said the statement, citing Agostinho Sousa, consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA.

The statement also noted that if people cannot heat all the rooms they use, it’s important to heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before going to sleep.

It added that those who are struggling to afford heating bills, they can apply for Simple Energy Advice to get free advice on energy efficiency and national grants that are available to help keep them warm this winter.

Also, the temperature is expected to decrease up to minus 10 degrees Celsius in Scotland, while snow and ice warnings have been issued for Wales, Northern Ireland and the east coast of England.

Rural areas of England would face minus 6 degrees Celsius cold overnight.