Help is available to check your dwelling and to prepare it for winter. If you are over 60 there is money available to go towards winter fuel bills and you may receive payments if the weather gets very cold.

• fit draught-proofing – to help seal gaps around windows and doors
• insulate your property – to reduce heat loss
• lag your hot water cylinder and pipes, including those in your loft
• have your heating system serviced annually by a registered engineer; some gas or electricity suppliers offer free safety checks

Check your heaters are safe
Carbon monoxide kills more than 50 people each year in England and Wales. Even low levels can cause serious harm to health if breathed in over a long time. Carbon monoxide is given off by cooking or heating appliances that are incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated .

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, so the best way to protect yourself is to have all gas, coal and oil appliances serviced regularly. (This should include flues and chimneys).

All servicing and installation should be done by a registered engineer. Details can be obtained from:

• CORGI for gas appliances
• HETAS for solid fuel appliances
• OFTEC for oil appliances

Heating your dwelling during winter

Heating your dwelling during the day

Set your thermostat at around 21ºC (70ºF) and heat all the rooms you use in the day. If you can’t, make sure you keep your living room warm throughout the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed.

Set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed. In very cold weather, rather than turn the thermostat up, set the heating to come on earlier. This means you won’t be cold while you wait for your dwelling to heat up.

Heating your dwelling during the night

If you use a fire or heater in your bedroom during winter, open the window or door a little at night for ventilation. An electric blanket or a hot water bottle will help you keep warm. You should never use them together as you could electrocute yourself.

Check what type of electric blanket you have – some are designed only to warm the bed before you get in, not to be used throughout the night.
If you use an electric blanket make sure it is safe to use by getting it tested every three years. The Fire Brigade, Trading Standards and Age Concern can test your electric blanket for safety.

Warm Front 
If you need help to pay for heating or to improve insulation in your dwelling, you may be able to get money from a government grant scheme, depending on where you live.
The Warm Front Scheme gives grants worth up to £2,700 (and up to £4,000 if oil central heating is recommended) to make dwellings warmer and more energy efficient.

Winter Fuel Payment
Winter Fuel Payment - if you're aged 60 or over, you may get a payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. This tax-free annual benefit is normally paid from November, with most payments being made before Christmas.

Cold Weather Payment

Cold Weather Payment If you're on a low income, this will help you with extra heating costs during very cold weather in your area.

Other Contacts

Help The Aged  gives information about residential and community care issues.

Age Concern  provides a range of services for older people, including information, advice and a handy person scheme.

Home Heat  this helpline is an independent service that helps people with advise on paying bills and keeping warm.

WRVS  is a charity that helps older people, providing help and services in the home, hospital and the community.

Assist UK  is a national organisation that gives carers and older people the chance to try out equipment and products that helps them manage their lives.

Disabled Living Foundation (0845 130 9177)  gives advice  on equipment to assist with all aspects of daily living.

All of the above information can be obtained as a booklet from www.direct.gov.uk. It is also available in a wide variety of languages from the same source.

ARE YOU SAFE?   Book Your Gas Safety Check On 0800 389 0867!!!