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Prepare For A Colder Winter, Warns Help The Aged, UK
In response to the UK Met Office forecast of a colder winter than last, the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership is calling for all older people to check their boilers now in preparation for the months ahead.*
After a wet summer and a cold start to the autumn, Help the Aged and British Gas are urging households over 60 to contact their energy suppliers for a free boiler check as part of an ongoing joint commitment to keeping people warm and well during the winter months.
Many energy suppliers, including British Gas, provide free boiler checks for people over 60. However, older people who want to check if they are eligible for a free boiler check can contact Help the Aged SeniorLine on 0808 800 6565 or if using a textphone on 0800 26 96 26.
Anna Pearson, British Gas Help the Aged Partnership spokesperson, says: 'With news of a colder winter on its way, Help the Aged, in partnership with British Gas, is urging older people to act now in preparation for the expected cold weather. It is vital that older people do not get caught out by the cold and take measures to maintain the warmth in their homes. It is also important they know that they are not alone in preparing for the winter.
'Over the years Help the Aged has worked with and advised energy suppliers to introduce free services for more vulnerable older people. Today we are encouraging older people to contact their energy suppliers to receive these free services starting with a simple, yet essential, request for a boiler check to ensure they continue to be warm and well this winter.'
Chris Bielby, Head of Safety at British Gas explains the importance of having your boiler checked every year.
'By ensuring your boiler is functioning properly not only will you reduce the risk of having a cold or damp home and make financial savings, you could also save your life.
'A faulty boiler or poor installation can also cause carbon monoxide to be produced. It is important to look out for physical signs of discolouration around the boiler, a yellowish flame or signs of sooting around the appliance. If you can see any of these signs you should have your boiler checked out by a CORGI registered installer immediately.'
Next month Help the Aged and British Gas will launch their annual winter campaign when information and tools on how to stay warm and well through the winter will be available to older people.
* Met Office, News Release, 27 September, 2007
Established in 1999, the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership has developed and implemented practical measures to make the lives of 1.7 million older people warmer, less isolated and more secure.
Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation and neglect. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services including information and advice, home support and community living that are supported by its fundraising activities and paid for services. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.
British Gas is the UK's biggest provider of domestic energy. British Gas also do more to help vulnerable customers than any major supplier. For example, its Essentials tariff is the largest 'social tariff' on the energy market and is aimed at lowering gas and electricity prices for 750,000 of British's most vulnerable customers. The Essentials Tariff allows eligible customers to benefit from our lowest available standard tariff (its standard tariffs are payment quarterly by cash or cheque, monthly direct debit and prepayment). In addition the British Gas Energy Trust can help with energy debt. Receiving funding from British Gas it operates wholly independently, giving grants to people to reduce or clear arrears of gas or electricity debt or provide help with other household bills or costs. For a CORGI registered installer contact the CORGI customer advice line on 0800 915 0485.
Sent: 11/10/2007
Email us direct at: repairs@londonheatingservices.co.uk
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