Keep Calm – Keep Warm!

editors note:- this is an extract from a Cheshire East article and is a little " motherhood and apple pie", but the checklist is a worthwhile reminder of seasonal weather risks!

Winter wellbeing – prepare your home for winter

• Insulate pipes and drain off outside taps to prevent frozen pipes;
• Know where your stop tap is and make sure you can turn it on and off with ease;
• Consider asking a friend or neighbour to check on your house regularly if you are going awayLeave your heating on if the weather is forecast to be freezing;
• Insulate your loft or walls to keep the heat in. Free and impartial advice about energy saving measures, grants and discounts is available from the Cheshire Green Doctor on 0330 174 0863. You can also visit our website(click here)
• Fit draught proofing to seal any gaps around doors and windows;
• Get your boiler serviced regularly by a qualified engineer. Remember, for gas boilers, check that your engineer is Gas Safe registered. Oil-fired heating needs servicing too;
• If you don't have central heating in your home, check to see if you are eligible for a grant on our website (link as above)
• Be prepared for clearing ice and snow this winter – have a snow shovel, brush and grit or salt ready;
• If a member of your household is of pensionable age, has a disability, a chronic illness, hearing and/or visual difficulties or you have a child under eight-years-old, you may be eligible for free or priority services (you can contact your energy supplier to check);
• If electricity supplies go down in your area, do not assume that your supplier knows – call them and have your name, postcode, house number and telephone number handy and;
• If you have a burst pipe, collect the water in a bucket and switch off your central heating. Turn off your stop tap and turn on your sink taps to drain your water system.
• Do not touch wiring or switches, which you suspect may have been affected. If in doubt, turn off your electricity at the mains and call a plumber.
• For more information, contact United Utilities on 0845 746 2200 or visit their website (click here). Advice on how to stay well this winter can also be found on our facebook(click here) pages.

Please help friends and neighbours unable to access the internet, by downloading and printing off information and giving it to them.

Cheshire East Council