Helpful advice during cold weather

With the cold spell continuing, we are doing all we can to help our customers stay safe and comfortable in their homes. If you have reported a repair, the snow could have caused some delay for our contractors getting out to you, but we are doing our best to find solutions to every problem the weather causes for us.

Again, due to the severity of the weather, our out-of-hours call desk are experiencing high call volumes, so we apologise if you are kept waiting to report your repair. If the phone is just continually ringing, please be assured that you are in a queue and your call will be answered.

Here are some useful tips from the NHS to keep you and your family warm and well in extremely cold weather:

To keep warm and well during periods of cold weather:

• Keep curtains drawn and doors closed to block out draughts.
• Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day if possible. Eating regularly helps keep energy levels up during winter.
• Wear several light layers of warm clothes (rather than one chunky layer).
• Keep as active as possible.
• Wrap up warm if you need to go outside on cold days.

Keep your home at the recommended temperature of 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F). If you can't heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before you go to sleep.

Icy conditions

Icy pavements and roads can very slippery. Take extra care if you go out and wear boots or shoes with good grip on the soles. The Met Office advises putting grit or cat litter on paths and driveways to lessen the risk of slipping. It adds that you should wait until the roads have been gritted if you're travelling by car. The Highways Agency offers useful advice on travelling in snow and freezing conditions.

Bear in mind that black ice on pavements or roads might not be clearly visible, and that compacted snow may turn to ice and become slippery.

Check the Met Office weather forecast

Look out for others

Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to cold weather. Cold weather is especially dangerous for older people or people with serious illnesses, so check up on them if you can.

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