OLDER people are being urged to stay warm this winter in a bid to reduce the number of winter deaths.
The call - from charities for the elderly - comes after 2,400 people aged over 65 died in Yorkshire last winter as a direct result of the cold.
Help The Aged's head of research, Dr James Goodwin, said Britain had "one of the highest preventable winter death rates among comparable European countries".
He added: "As a nation we are simply not geared up to the cold.
"We don't prepare properly and we often don't dress adequately or are too inactive when outdoors in the cold."
His comments came after a national poll revealed that one in 10 older people in Yorkshire struggled to keep warm in their own homes last winter and were worried about staying warm this year.
One in four admitted to turning off their heating in the afternoon to save money.
Two-thirds said they had never heard of Government schemes to improve heating in their homes.
Almost half the people questioned also said they kept their bedroom window open at night - even in cold weather - which researchers have proved could increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.
Janet Cocker, of Age Concern Kirklees, said many elderly people did not know the benefits they were entitled to.
She added: "A lot of people are not claiming the benefits they are entitled to and don't know about schemes for insulation or draught-proofing.
"Many also have inadequate heating in their houses because older systems are not as fuel- efficient or there is just not much heating at all," she said.
Ms Cocker invited anybody needing advice or information about heating or benefits to visit the Age Concern office on Cross Church Street in Huddersfield town centre or phone the charity on 01484 535994.
