Keeping safe this winter
Practical winter wellbeing advice and where to get support if you need it.
Preparing for winter
- Practical advice and guidance to be winter ready.
- 10 things you should do now to prepare for winter from the Met Office.
- Beat the chill with cold weather advice from GOV.UK.
- Sign up for cold-health alerts from the Met Office.
- View regional cold-health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency.
- Use the keep warm at home checklist from the NHS.
Travel safely
- Avoid driving in adverse conditions and follow official advice.
- Allow extra time to de-ice your vehicle and arrive safely.
- Check the essentials with advice from RAC and AA.
- Prepare a winter kit for your car with tips from the Met Office.
- View gritting routes and follow @WSHighways for updates.
- Report local road issues or make an enquiry.
- Check bus, train and other public transport operators for updates.
Home safety
- Use heating methods safely including chimneys, log burners, candles, electric blankets, and portable heaters with our home fire safety advice.
- Request a Safe and Well Visit
- Fireworks safety guidance
Your health
- Get ready for winter and stay well with West Sussex Wellbeing.
- Get the right care. Find out how you can make the right choice on which NHS service to contact.
- Where eligible, stay up to date with your vaccinations, including Covid-19, flu and RSV.
- Help stop the spread of winter bugs; washing your hands with soap and water is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others, including illnesses like norovirus.
- Find tips and local support for your mental health.
- For social care or telecare service enquiries, call Adults' CarePoint on 01243 642121 or visit West Sussex Connect to Support.
- Help prevent falls with the free falls prevention exercise service from West Sussex Wellbeing or Everyone Health (0333 005 0095).
- Find out about the meals on wheels service in West Sussex.
- Check out the apps to help you stay well.
Keeping warm
- Heat your home to a comfortable temperature, at least 18°C.
- Prepare your home by checking energy performance and your appliances.
- Check whether you’re eligible for funding towards heating and insulation improvements.
- Follow government and NHS advice.
- Warm Home Discount Scheme (government scheme due to re-open October 2026)
- Libraries in West Sussex are warm and welcoming places that everyone can visit free of charge six days a week.
- Report power cuts by calling 105 or 0800 316 3105.
- UK Power Networks: Be winter ready
- UK Power Networks: Live power cut information
- SSEN: Preparing for a power cut
- SSEN: Power cuts & safety
Stay thrifty
- Cost of living support and energy bills.
- Request support from our Community Hub, including accessing the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
- Warm Home Discount Scheme (government scheme due to re-open October 2025)
- Cold weather payments
- Winter Fuel Payment
- Seek advice from Citizens Advice on money issues, energy, food and more. Locally, the Arun and Chichester hub is available to all West Sussex residents, find contact details.
Keeping in touch
- Check on friends, family members, and neighbours, especially if they are vulnerable, living alone, and people with serious illnesses.
- Stay active with friends and family. Let them know if you can’t get out.
- Schools should inform parents and the council of unexpected closures. We will update our schools information page when informed.
- Register for priority services for additional support with your energy supply for those most in need.
- Find your nearest Best Start Family Hub, they can provide advice and support to families (or call 01243 777807).