As temperatures continue to drop this winter, the safety and well-being of our seniors is a major concern, both physically and financially.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year hypothermia kills about 600 Americans half of whom are age 65 and older.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the Department on Aging as well as other state agencies are doing several things to help all Illinoisans stay warm, healthy and safe this winter.

Here are a few helpful tips for seniors to stay safe and warm, and maintain a low heating bill:

- Dress in layers and cover as much skin as possible while outdoors.

- Keep active. Make a list of exercises and activities that you can do indoors when you cannot get out.

- Eat well and drink 10 glasses of water every day.

- Keep extra medications in the house. If this is not possible, make arrangements now with a pharmacy that will deliver.

- Stock up on extra non-perishable food supplies, just in case.

- Have your house winterized. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. Insulate pipes near outer walls, in crawl spaces and attics that are susceptible to freezing.

- Keep your furnace operating efficiently.

- Make sure you and your family know how to shut off the water supply in case pipes burst.

- Protect against fire. Make sure space heaters are at least three feet from anything flammable. Don't overload extension cords.

- If you live in a house, plan now for someone else to shovel the snow when it comes. Do not shovel snow or walk in deep snow. The strain from the cold and hard labor could cause a heart attack; sweating can lead to a chill and even hypothermia.

For more tips on how to make sure you can stay warm this winter, call the Keep Warm Illinois hotline at (877) 411-WARM or go to www.keepwarm.illinois.gov.

Older adults and their caregivers may also contact the Department on Aging Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 to learn more about the programs and services available in their areas.

Remember - we are here to help you stay safe and keep warm this winter.

Charles D. Johnson

Springfield

The writer is director, Illinois Department on Aging.