Keep warm this winter
Residents throughout Bridgend County Borough are being reminded to look after vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours this winter.
Elderly or disabled people and very young children are among those who are most likely to be affected by severe weather or any sudden drop in temperature.
You can look out for them during very cold periods by visiting and ensuring that they are regularly eating and drinking hot meals and drinks for energy, and that they are keeping warm by remaining active – e.g. by vacuuming.
Dressing warmly in several layers of thin clothing or thermal underwear and setting living room and bedroom temperatures between 18-21 degrees centigrade (64-70 degrees fahrenheit) will help keep out the chill, and wearing warm clothing in bed at night is also important.
Adequate double glazing, loft and cavity wall insulation are all good ways of trapping warmth within the home, but you can also use draft-proofing strips and fix a thick curtain over front or back doors.
You can help older vulnerable people by checking that they are receiving relevant financial benefits – call the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on 0844 477 2020. The latest advice on energy efficiency and grant funding is available from the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012.
Tax-free winter fuel payments of between £100-£300 are provided by the Government to help keep eligible older people warm during winter - call the winter fuel payment helpline on 0845 915 1515 for more details.
If anyone has difficulty paying utility bills, they should contact their supplier as soon as possible to arrange a payment plan that suits individual circumstances. They can also provide additional information on how to reduce energy bill costs.
Elsewhere, NEST is a Welsh Government fuel poverty scheme that aims to make more Welsh homes warmer and fuel-efficient. The scheme helps eligible households benefit from new central heating boilers, hot water cylinders, loft, cavity wall and solid wall insulation, draught proofing for doors and windows and renewable energy technologies such as air source heat pumps.
Call 0800 512 012 for free impartial help and advice about benefit entitlement, making sure that you’re on the right fuel tariff, managing money and schemes across Wales that offer low or no-cost home improvements.
Other useful telephone numbers include:
- Energy Saving Trust : 0800 512 012
- Care and Repair : 01656 646755
- Winter Fuel Payments : 0845 9 151515
- Nest (Welsh Government’s fuel poverty scheme) : 0800 512 012
- Pension Service : 0845 606 0265
- Age UK : 02920 431555
- Community Care Grants (Jobcentre Plus) : 0845 604 3719
- Citizens Advice Bureau : 0844 477 2020
- Dial UK (Disability Information Line) : 01302 310 123
- Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS ) : 0800 600 5885
- Home Heat Helpline : 0800 336 699
- Consumer Direct : 0845 404 0506
- Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) : 0303 123 9999
- Royal National Institute of Disabled People (RNID) : 0808 808 0123
- National Insulation Association : 0845 163 6363
- Fire Safety : 0800 169 1234
- Health and Safety Executive Gas Safety Advice Line : 0800 300 363
- Food Standards Agency : 02920 678999
- National Debt Line (NDL) : 0808 808 4000
- Last Updated: 23/12/2011
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