Cold weather checklist (UK): home, car and vulnerable people

Updated on 27 October 2026How these pages are written (in French)

This page is for households in the United Kingdom getting ready for winter. It is an independent summary of the UK government's Be Ready guidance on cold weather, snow and ice, developed by the Cabinet Office. It covers the home, the car and the people most at risk. The full guidance is free at beready.campaign.gov.uk.

The Be Ready guidance says cold weather "can affect anyone", but lists groups who may be most at risk:

• Older adults.
• People with long-term health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or a mental health condition.
• Pregnant people.
• Babies and young children.
• People with learning disabilities.
• People at risk of falls.
• People who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves.
• People who are housebound or have low mobility.
• People experiencing homelessness, sleeping rough or in other deprived circumstances.

Be Ready names two dangers for these groups: illness "if they become too cold", and serious injury "if they slip and fall".

Be Ready lists these actions to take before winter, or as soon as cold weather is forecast:

• Heating and cooking appliances: have them checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer "to make sure they are working safely".
• Carbon monoxide alarm: fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm that meets British or European Standards (BS Kitemark or EN 50291).
• Priority Services Register: contact your water and power suppliers to see if you are eligible. Be Ready describes it as "a free support service that helps people in vulnerable situations".
• Mould or damp: find out what is causing it and how to address it. The guidance links to the NHS page on damp and mould.
• Vaccination: get vaccinated to help reduce risk from respiratory illnesses during the winter. Contact your pharmacist or GP, or see the NHS Keep warm, keep well page.
• Medication and food: check that you have enough "in case it is harder than usual to leave the house".
• Heating efficiency: Be Ready points to the Energy Saving Trust for advice on more efficient ways to heat your home and improving insulation.

For blankets, sleeping bags, a torch and the rest of the household kit, see our emergency kit checklist. The Be Ready checklist notes: "Homes can become cold very quickly when the heating goes off."

On carbon monoxide, Be Ready warns: "The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from malfunctioning appliances increases during winter." Its advice is to fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm that meets British or European Standards (BS Kitemark or EN 50291), and to have heating and cooking appliances checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

On hypothermia, Be Ready asks you to read about the symptoms and the actions to take if you or someone else has them, on the NHS hypothermia page. It states: "Hypothermia is a medical emergency and needs to be treated in hospital."

This page does not list the symptoms of hypothermia or carbon monoxide poisoning: for hypothermia, Be Ready sends you to the NHS. In an emergency, call 999.

The Be Ready guidance suggests packing a few essential items in your car boot "in case of getting stuck in wintry weather":

• A torch.
• An in-car phone charger.
• Warm clothes and blankets.
• High-visibility clothing.
• Jump leads.
• Food and drink.
• A shovel for snow.

It adds: "It can also be helpful to keep a first aid kit in your car."

Be Ready also asks you to prepare your vehicle for driving in cold weather. It points to the RAC's advice on driving in snow and to the Met Office's advice on travelling in heavy snow and ice. The guidance notes that car accidents "become more likely when road surfaces are icy and people are not used to driving in these conditions".

During a spell of cold weather, Be Ready advises:

• Heat the rooms you use most: "try to heat rooms you spend the most time in, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C."
• Windows and draughts: keep your windows closed, particularly at night, and reduce draughts wherever possible.
• Clothing: "Wear several layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer."
• Movement: do what you can to stay active, indoors.
• Outdoors: wear shoes with good grip to avoid slips and falls on slippery or icy surfaces.

Be Ready asks you to make sure that family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell are aware of, and following, actions to keep themselves safe.

• Check in: ask how they are feeling, and offer practical support if possible, for example help obtaining food or medication.
• If you are worried about someone's health: contact your local pharmacist, your GP or NHS 111. Be Ready says they "will all be able to offer advice and support".
• If you might be stuck at home yourself: think about who could pick up food and medication on your behalf, and let them know you might need them.

Be Ready asks you to check the Met Office forecasts and warnings. It says to pay particular attention to any National Severe Weather Warnings or Cold Health Alerts covering your area, "and act on any advice issued".

To see which local services are disrupted by severe weather, enter your postcode on GOV.UK.

For Wales, Be Ready points to Public Health Wales. For Scotland, it points to ready.scot.

Be Ready lists these sources of support:

• GOV.UK: grants, benefits and advice to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help manage energy bills, plus cost of living support. If you claim certain benefits or tax credits, you may be eligible for an extra payment.
• Ofgem: information on getting help if you can't afford your energy bills, including for prepayment meter users.
• Age UK: information and advice on cost of living, on its website or by calling 0800 169 6565 and quoting "WINTER".

• 999: emergency services.
• 111: NHS 111, if you are worried about someone's health.
• 105: report a power cut in England, Scotland and Wales (03457 643643 in Northern Ireland).

• UK Government (Cabinet Office), Cold weather, snow and ice: groups at risk, preparing for cold weather, actions during a cold spell, additional support (accessed 27 October 2026)
• UK Government (Cabinet Office), Be ready for emergencies: car boot items for wintry weather, Be Ready checklist, power cut numbers (accessed 27 October 2026)
• UK Government, Be informed about hazards (accessed 27 October 2026)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This is an independent website, not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK Government.