A campaign to raise awareness amongst older people about the importance of keeping warm in their homes during winter has been launched by Hastings Borough Council, Rother District Council and Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust.
The aim of the campaign is to promote warmer, better-insulated homes and show how improving energy efficiency can help people stay warmer and healthier during the coldest months – and reduce their fuel bills.
Angela Broomfield, Public Health Promo
tion Co-ordinator for Older People for the PCT, said: "There is increasing evidence that living in a cold home not only makes asthma and chest conditions worse but can also increase blood pressure and contribute to poor mobility, falls and accidents."
The campaign's nine top tips to help keep warm this winter are:
1 Insulate your home – loft and cavity wall insulation are good ways of trapping warmth in the home and grants are available to help (details below).
2 Keep your home at the right temperature – use thermostatic radiator valves to maintain temperatures, or hang thermometers in the living room and bedroom. Try to maintain a temperature of at least 21oC in the living room, and 18oC in other occupied rooms.
3 Keep warm at night – wearing the right clothing to bed is as important as wrapping up outdoors. Sleep with windows closed – cold air on the head at night has been shown to increase blood pressure.
4 Eat for warmth – regular hot meals and hot drinks provide warmth and energy.
5 Keep moving – any activity, even housework, gets circulation going and makes you feel warmer.
6 Dress appropriately – wrap up warmly, indoors and out, ideally several layers of thin clothing.
7 Winter Fuel Payment - everyone over 60 should claim the Winter Fuel Payment (helpline 08459 151515). Use your Winter Fuel Payment to pay your heating bills.
8 Claim your rightful benefits and grants – being in receipt of certain benefits can give you access to full grants to help make your home warmer and more energy efficient. Contact: Pension Credit helpline – 0800 99 1234, Over 60s helpline – 0845 606 0265, Under 60s helpline – 0845 600 42549
9 Apply for Energy Efficiency Grants –
• Warm Front – a central Government grant scheme providing up to £2,700 to those on certain benefits to help repair or provide heating. Loft and cavity wall insulation are also available (tel. 0800 316 2814 for more information).
• Discount Insulation Schemes – discounts for loft and cavity wall insulation are available to ALL regardless of income through utility company funded schemes. Full grants are also available to those in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
• Grant Advice - for information and advice on energy efficiency grants available in your area contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012.
Age Concern in Hastings has also set up a Winter Warmth telephone line, for anyone who lives in Hastings and St Leonards and would like to receive a friendly phone call during severe weather. This service can be arranged by contacting the Action Line on 715678.
