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Preventing accidents - top tips for a safer home

Every year in the UK there are about 30,000 deaths due to ‘winter-related illness’ – and we spend about £1 billion treating such illness. Many of these deaths and illnesses could be avoided by tackling the widespread problem of poor insulation and inadequate heating. Here energy conservation expert Derick Gray gives some guidance on what to do.

Energy conservation expert Derick Gray is manager of the Home Energy Advice Team, a charity project helping vulnerable families in Plymouth. As an independent consultant, Derick also provides energy efficiency advice to individuals and businesses in the South West of England.

Cold homes often result when people are worried about high fuel bills they can’t afford. It also commonly occurs when it’s difficult to keep a property at a high enough temperature to fend off the cold.

This is known as ‘fuel poverty’, when people have to spend over 10% of their income to keep their homes warm.  Unfortunately when a house becomes too expensive to heat, the occupants either no longer bother or end up heating only one or two rooms. The property may then develop damp and condensation problems that in turn lead to mould. The cold living conditions bring their own problems, while mould spores in the air often make normal coughs and colds even worse and can result in serious chest complaints. Older people and the young are at greatest risk.

Help’s at hand

Many people with home heating problems around the UK could be helped by the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) grant. The HEES grant helps fund better insulation of a property, helping it to retain heat and use less fuel. From April 2000 the maximum grant will be increased from £315 to £700 and up to £2000 for the over 60s. People will qualify for the HEES grant if they receive the following benefits -

  • Income Support

  • Family Credit

  • Housing Benefit

  • Council tax Benefit

  • Disability Working Allowance

  • Disability Living Allowance.

For those over 60 not receiving any of the above they can claim 25% of the grant. To find out more about the HEES grant and how it will change in April 2000, contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012 - all information provided is free and independent.

Energy saving tips

  • If you have a hot water tank, make sure it's well insulated with a good three-inch thick jacket. It'll only cost a few pounds but will make significant long-term savings on your fuel bills.

  • If you have central heating, turn the thermostat down by 10C - it could cut heating costs by 8-10%.

  • If you want a single cup of tea don’t fill the kettle - but cover the element. It could save £10 a year.

  • Fit low energy light bulbs - especially in lights you use a lot. They cost a little more than standard bulbs but can last ten times longer and can save you £10 a year.

  • If you have radiators fitted against outside or party walls, try putting foil behind them (kitchen foil attached to thin card will do). It could save £5-10 a year.

  • Four showers use about the same amount of hot water as one bath - shower to save energy.

  • Use the sun's heat - open doors in sunny rooms and let the warm air travel through your home. It could save you about £5 a year.

  • As it gets dark close your curtains and keep the heat in - if you have radiators by windows, tuck the curtains behind them. It could save you around £15 a year.

  • Make sure your clothes washing machine is full unless it has an economy cycle. Use low temperature washes (most modern powders work best at these temperatures) and when possible dry your washing outside.

  • Don’t keep your cooker on full heat after a pot's boiled - a low heat will keep it simmering.

  • Shelves above radiators help deflect the warm air towards the middle of the room and could save you about £10-15 a year.

*These figures are calculated and produced by the Energy Saving Trust.

Tips to avoid condensation

  • Cover pans when cooking and don’t leave kettles boiling unnecessarily.

  • Avoid using paraffin or bottled gas heaters - they produce a litre of water for every litre of fuel used.

  • Dry washing outside whenever possible - or hang it in the bathroom with the door closed and a window open or extractor fan on.

  • Vent any tumble dryers outside unless it’s a self-condensing type that doesn't need a venting kit.

  • When bathing or cooking close the door to the rest of the house and open a window to let the steam out.