After a mild October, we’re finally feeling the winter weather creeping in. Whilst overnight frosts and a few wintry showers are already being experienced in parts of the UK and it’s definitely feeling colder, the Met Office has issued warnings for tomorrow and Friday for snow and ice in the North of England.
According to the ONS (Office for National Statistics), there are over 5.7 million people aged over 75, approximately 9% of the population in the UK. Cold weather and a cold house can have a direct impact on your health, and this group of elderly people is particularly vulnerable.
Whilst we’re all trying to be careful with the amount of energy we use due to the cost of living crisis, and our blog ‘Top tips for saving energy in this Autumn’ has useful help and advice, respiratory issues, increased risk of infection, joint and muscle pain, and cardiovascular disorders and hypothermia are all conditions which can be caused by excessive cold so it is important to keep warm. Indeed, an Age UK report found that a cold house is bad for your health, and is a ‘major factor’ in two out of five extra winter deaths in the older generation. It’s definitely worth thinking ahead and preparing for what the weather might bring, and in this blog we’re going to take a look at what you can do to prepare for the cold weather ahead.
Over 75 or vulnerable? Help is at hand with the Cold Weather Priority Scheme
UKIFDA, the trade association for the liquid fuels distribution industry, has worked with its members to introduce the Cold Weather Priority Initiative (CWP) for heating oil users. In addition, Liquid Gas UK, the trade association for the liquid gas industry supports the Cold Weather Priority Scheme.
It’s free to register and ensures that those most vulnerable to the effects of cold weather receive priority service for their deliveries of heating oil and/or LPG during the winter months.
Ken Cronin, UKIFDA CEO, said ‘With the onset of cold weather, taking care of the most vulnerable members of our society becomes imperative. That’s why we urge anyone aged 75 or over to sign up for the UKIFDA’s Cold Weather Priority scheme with their local distributor. It’s entirely free for heating oil customers’.
So if you’re over 75 or chronically ill or disabled, get in touch with your heating oil or LPG supplier to register. If you’re a Northern Energy domestic heating oil customer, call us on 01423 770 666, or alternatively, if you’re an LPG customer, call us on 01423 772 789 and we’ll register you on our scheme and take proactive steps to prioritise your fuel deliveries. Alternatively, you can email us at helpoil@northernenergy.co.uk.
Of course, customers of Northern Energy are always treated as a priority with our Premium Package for heating oil customers, and our LPG Package for LPG users. Our automatic refilling service provides convenience and peace of mind that you’ll never run out of fuel, and ensures in times of peak demand or cold weather conditions you’re always treated as a priority.
Here are some other things you can do to prepare for the cold snap ahead and be winter-ready.
Stay up to date with weather warnings
As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed – if you know what’s coming, you won’t be taken by surprise and you can prepare. So to keep an eye on forthcoming weather warnings, click here. Being prepared means you can stock up on supplies, plan your travel or avoid unexpected journeys, and look after your own well-being and that of family and friends as well.
Wear layers
Rather than wearing one thick woolly jumper, wear plenty of thin layers to trap in the warmth. A base level, followed by an insulation layer such as a thermal fleece jacket or down-filled garment, then a breathable outer layer plus a hat, scarf and gloves if you’re going outside will give you protection from cold weather conditions. And wear bed socks at night!
Protect your pipes
Of course, prevention is better than cure, so it’s good to insulate your pipes in preparation for the colder weather, but if your pipes do freeze, it’s useful to know what to do.
Turn off your inside stop tap straight away – it’s important to know where your stop tap is, and to check it regularly to make sure it’s open. Turn on all your taps to drain your system as quickly as possible, and when the water stops running, turn your taps off again. Frozen pipes can be thawed slowly to avoid bursts with hot water bottles or even towels soaked in hot water, but if you’re unfortunate enough to have a burst pipe, you’ll need a qualified and approved plumber, and the Watersafe website is a free online directory for competent and qualified plumbers to help you find one in your area.
Prepare a winter kit for your car
Journey times may be longer when there are icy patches and untreated roads, and gentle acceleration and braking will help you maintain control. And it’s good to be prepared – it’s worth packing a few essentials in case you do get stuck in wintry weather.
An ice scraper and de-icer are just two basic items, but it’s also worth including a torch, an in-car phone charger, some snacks, warm clothes such as a wooly hat and scarf, and even a blanket, a warning triangle as well as a shovel if the weather is snowy so you can dig yourself out of drifts.
Also, check your car’s antifreeze and fluid levels, and check your tyres have sufficient tread and are properly inflated – properly inflated tyres with good tread provide better traction. Make sure you have plenty of screen wash and it has additives in it to keep your windscreen free of winter grime.
Additional help at hand for some
The government's Winter Fuel payment, which can be anything from £250 to £600, provides support for those who receive a state pension and were born on or before 25th September 1956, with most people receiving the payment automatically.
In addition, if the average temperature in your area is recorded, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 consecutive days between 1st November and 31st March, people claiming certain benefits will receive a payment of £25. To check if you can get a payment in your area, click here.
So stay warm, stay safe, and don’t forget we’re always here to help and just at the end of the phone. Contact us on 01423 770 666 or email us at helpoil@northernenergy.co.uk
And don't forget, there's a wealth of information on our website, from how to reduce heat loss at home to how to plan ahead for a cozy Christmas, and much more!