‘Calendar of death’ reveals the months of the year you’re most likely to die
GRIM new statistics have revealed a "calendar of death" - showing the months of the year you're most likely to die.
The morbid figures, released today, show that March is one of the most fatal periods with more than 221,000 deaths in the past five years.
This accounts for nine percent of the total 2.46million deaths in England between January 2014 and December, last year.
But the data from the Office for National Statistics clearly shows January is the deadliest month, closely followed by March and then February - despite the latter having fewer days than any other month.
While August is considered the "safest" month, with the fewest deaths - despite having 31 days.
Charity Age UK said the findings were unsurprising as winter months leave many older people "vulnerable".
Caroline Abrahams, the charity's director, told the Birmingham Mail: “Many older people are more vulnerable in winter months due to a toxic cocktail of poor housing, high energy prices and ill health.
“These factors can make colder periods a dangerous time for many older people.
“We know such high levels of excess winter deaths are not inevitable.
"As a country we are not doing enough to ensure our older population stays warm and well throughout the harsh winter months."
Ms Abrahams added: “The Government needs to do more to end the scourge of cold homes and ensure older people are receiving all the financial support to which they’re entitled.
“Age UK is urging older people to do everything possible to protect themselves against the threats posed by the winter cold – including wrapping up warm when they go out and taking extra care if there’s slippery ice about."
Meryl Davies, chief exec of Contact the Elderly, said: “Winter is a particularly difficult time for older people and can bring a barrage of challenges.
“Not only do the long nights and plummeting temperatures make it harder to get out and about, they increase the chance of falls and injuries as well as illnesses."
