Skip to content


Home >> Press Release >> 2016

Press Release

CHP reminds public on precautions against very cold weather

23 January 2016

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 23) reminded the public, particularly the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the very cold weather in the coming days.

A spokesman for the CHP said that cold weather could easily trigger diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illness or chronic illnesses.

"The elderly have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather," the spokesman said.

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.

The CHP reminded the public, the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses in particular, to adopt the following preventive measures:

In addition, the public should avoid alcoholic beverages.

"Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate and the body would lose heat," the spokesman explained.

"It is important to keep babies lightly clothed to avoid them getting too hot," the spokesman added.

Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:

Members of the public are advised to take heed of the following advice to avoid influenza and upper respiratory tract infections:

Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hot pot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:

For more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111) or visit the website of the Central Health Education Unit (This link will open in a new windowwww.cheu.gov.hk).

The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory (This link will open in a new windowwww.hko.gov.hk) for the latest weather information and forecast, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens (This link will open in a new windowelderly.weather.gov.hk/socare.htm).



Last Revision Date : 23 Jan 2016