Winter has arrived and with it, the cold weather. Most of us will automatically turn the heating up or light the fire. But for many people in the UK, the winter is not just cold – it can be deadly.
According to official figures, nearly 120,000 people in England and Wales have died over the last four winters as a direct result of the cold weather or from illnesses associated with the plummeting temperatures, such as influenza. And a large majority of these people are pensioners who live on or below the poverty line.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK has stated that “The UK has an appalling record on cold-related deaths, with one older person dying every seven minutes from the winter cold. Colder countries like Sweden are better at protecting older people from the cold.
“Even ‘normal cold’ temperatures of around 6C significantly raise the risk of life-changing health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.”
The sad fact is that these people are too poor to heat their homes adequately.
Maria Wardrobe is the director of National Energy Action, who says that “Cold homes are a bigger killer across the UK than road accidents, drug abuse or alcohol abuse.
“Cold-related illness and hospital admissions will cost our NHS more than £22bn over the next 15 years. Wouldn’t it make more sense to invest this in energy efficiency improvements in the homes of those most vulnerable?”
In past years, vulnerable people had access to schemes that would ensure a warmer home over the colder months. In 1997, the Labour Government launched the Warm Front scheme, which provided insulation and energy efficient heating to private homeowners at risk of fuel poverty. An annual lump sum payment was also introduced so that pensioners could afford to pay for their heating.
This scheme helped well over two million homes in the UK.
Unfortunately, in 2012 the coalition government scrapped the Warm Front scheme and replaced it with the Green Deal. This scheme meant that homeowners could take out preferential, government-administered loans in order to effectively insulate their properties, keeping the warmth in and the cold air out. However, only 15,000 homes took out loans and when the Green Deal finished in 2015, no other scheme was launched to replace it.
Therefore, it is up to us to help protect our elderly and vulnerable family, friends and neighbours. The old saying goes 'It takes a village to raise a child'. In the same way, it takes a community to look after its own people.
If you know of anyone who may be vulnerable during the winter, please ensure that their boiler has been serviced, their chimney has been swept and any exterior pipes have been lagged.
Boilers are going to be working harder than any other time in the year. And as gas appliances, it is imperative that they are checked and serviced on a regular basis by a qualified Gas Safe engineer to make sure they are safe and efficient.
If your elderly relative or neighbour has an open fire, remember carbon monoxide can also be given off by these. If the flue can't take all the products away, CO can enter the property. Current Building regulations require new solid fuel installations to have a CO alarm fitted. So it is common sense to fit them to existing chimneys as well – it really could save a life. Having a professional check and sweep of the chimney will ensure a safe and warm home over the winter months
Exterior pipes can freeze if they have not been protected, meaning burst pipes and repair bills your elderly relative can ill afford. It doesn't take much to lag a pipe – it's just a trip to your local DIY store or a call to your local plumber. If possible, isolate inside and drain external pipes.
Christmas can be a wonderful time but for those living alone or in poverty, it can be lonely and cold. Spread that festive cheer a little wider this year – look out for your family, friends and neighbours when they need you most.
