Seasonal Safety 

What to Do Next (Winter)

Use this guidance during cold weather or winter conditions when risks can increase for both clients and staff.

What to look out for

• Cold rooms or heating not being used

• Unsafe heaters, trailing cables or overloaded sockets

• Icy paths, steps or poor lighting outside the property

• Slower movement, stiffness or increased confusion

• Clients trying to limit heating due to cost concerns

What to do

1. Take extra care entering and leaving the property

2. Do not attempt to fix heaters or electrics yourself

3. Reduce immediate trip hazards if safe to do so

4. Encourage warmth where appropriate (layers, blankets, heating)

5. Monitor the client closely for changes in mobility or wellbeing

When to report

• If the home feels unsafe

• If heating is not working or is being avoided due to cost

• If mobility, confusion or health seems worse than usual

• If winter conditions increase the risk of falls

Report concerns to the office during working hours or on-call out of hours.

Remember

• Winter increases risk even when nothing has “gone wrong”

• Small observations can prevent serious incidents

• Seasonal safety is about awareness, not alarm