When the weather gets cold, elderly may feel unwell due to the lowering of body temperature as a result of their weaker temperature control mechanism and less subcutaneous fat. Excessive drop in body temperature can lead to hypothermia. Persons with chronic illnesses such as chronic respiratory illnesses or heart disease are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather. Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which in turn slows down the ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders, may undermine the health of the elderly and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Therefore, elderly should:

• Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing appropriately, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks according to the temperature;
• Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;
• Perform regular exercises to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;
• Stay in a warm environment and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;
• Use heaters with care and maintain adequate indoor ventilation; and
• Seek medical advice once feeling unwell.

• Keep the room well ventilated and with comfortable temperature;
• Always place babies on their back to sleep. Babies usually sleep well without a pillow;
• Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects and loose bedding;
• Leave their head, face and arms uncovered during sleep; and
• Let babies sleep in a cot placed in parents’ room and near their bed.

• Maintain adequate rest, a balanced diet, regular exercises, avoid stress and do not smoke;
• Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
• Ensure good ventilation;
• Wear a face mask in the event of influenza-like symptoms, while taking care of patients and visiting hospitals or clinics;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper in a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands immediately afterwards;
• Seek medical advice once feeling unwell and stay at home; and
• Receive seasonal influenza vaccination which is suitable for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications.

• Wash hands before handling and consuming food;
• Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;
• Buy fresh seafood with intact shells and without strange odour;
• Wash and cook all food thoroughly;
• Wash vegetables thoroughly under clean running water. When appropriate, scrub produces with hard surfaces with a clean produce brush to remove dirt and substances including pesticides and contaminants from the surface and the fissures. Use of soaps, special detergents or produce washes is not recommended. Soaking in water and blanching are effective in terms of removing dirt and reducing pesticide residues, but they are no longer considered necessary in the face of nutrient loss in the processes;
• Handle seafood with extra care. Do not eat prawns when they have just turned red. Cook for five more minutes before eating;
• Remove outer shells of seafood and cook the seafood in boiling water for a relatively long period of time to ensure it is thoroughly cooked;
• Avoid sprinkling food with raw spring onions;
• Store washed and prepared food under refrigeration below four degrees Celsius. Eat the food as soon as possible after cooking;
• Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hot pot; and
• Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross contamination.