Staying Safe Warm and Well at Home This Winter

Introduction:

It is important to stay safe, warm and well in winter. There are many different sources of help and support in Lincolnshire. This web page contains information from different organisations to provide some top tips on staying safe, warm and well at home.

Connect to Support

Connect to Support is provided by Lincolnshire County Council and the NHS.

Connect to Support Lincolnshire is your one-stop website for trusted information
from health, care, housing and community organisations – all in one place.

Connect to Support provides information on:

• Health and wellbeing
• Mental health
• Support for carers
• Living independently
• Staying active
• Volunteering
• Community events and activities

To stay safe and well at home this winter, Connect to Support can be used to:

Get advice on keeping warm at home

• Find local services that offer home insulation, heating support, and emergency
  repairs
• Search the community directory to find nearby groups offering wellbeing checks and
  winter support
• Learn how to prevent cold-related health issues like hypothermia and respiratory
  problems
• Find help and resources for adults, carers, and those with long-term health conditions
• Explore digital tools to help you live independently and stay connected during
  winter
• Access mental health support and advice for managing seasonal challenges

To find out more about the services provided, please follow this link to the Connect to Support website.

Good Home Lincs

Good Home Lincs aims to help Lincolnshire residents to repair, improve, and adapt their
homes to help people stay safe, warm and well at home.

The Good Home Lincs resources are provided by Lincolnshire Councils. The Good Home Lincs website is a helpful source of information on lots of topics, including:

• Cold, damp homes
• Finding trusted tradespeople
• How to pay for repairs and adaptations
• Safety in the home
• Moving home

You can get lots of information and resources on various topics by following this link to the Connect to Support Good Home Lincs website.

Healthy Home Assessment

Good Home Lincs also provides a Healthy Home Assessment tool. This is an online tool to
help you look at your home, spot any risks and maintenance issues, and provide information on how any problems can be tackled.

How healthy is your home? Follow this link to the Connect to Support Good Home Lincs website to take the assessment.

Money Talk Lincs

Finances can be a source of stress to many people. Money Talk Lincs is a section on
Connect to Support which gives information on general financial wellbeing. You can find
information on:

• Debt advice
• Food help
• Claiming benefits
• Council tax support
• Pension credit
• Planning and budgeting
• Reducing your bills
• Borrowing and saving

To get more information, follow this link to the Connect to Support Money Talk Lincs website.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue offer lots of information and support about staying safe and
warm, and reducing the risk of fire in the home.

Heating Safety

Open fires and log burners:

• Always use a fire guard to prevent sparks
• Keep chimneys clean and swept regularly
• Store fuels (wood, coal) safely away from the fire
• Avoid drying clothes near open flames
• Before you go to bed, ensure fires are completely out
• Make sure your chimney is swept by a professional at least once a year for coal and
  twice a year if you are burning logs

Portable heaters:

• Keep heaters away from curtains, furniture, clothes and other flammable materials
• Never use heaters for drying clothes
• Secure heaters to prevent tipping
• Make sure that portable heaters or radiators are plugged into their own socket and not into an extension
• Make sure heaters are well maintained and in good working order
• Always sit at least one metre away from a heater
• Before moving your heater, turn it off and allow it to cool

Electric blankets:

• Do not use a hot water bottle or bring drinks nearby while you are using your blanket
• Unplug your electric blanket before you go to bed unless it has a thermostat for overnight use
• Store your electric blanket flat or rolled to avoid damaging wiring
• Check regularly for wear and tear and don’t use your blanket if wires are visible or poking through the fabric
• Don’t use a blanket that has scorch marks or discolouration or if the control makes a
  buzzing sound when it is switched on
• Test your blanket every 3 years and replace it if it is over 10 years old
• Do not buy second hand electric blankets – they may not meet current safety standards
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use it as intended

Electrical safety:

• Don’t overload sockets – use an online socket calculator to check
• Avoid using second-hand electrical goods unless they have been verified safe
• Don’t run washing machines or dryers overnight or when unattended
• Do not use ‘cube’ type adaptors
• Do not use damaged cables
• Only use the charger that is provided with electrical equipment
• Turn off and unplug anything electrical that does not need to be left on
• Don’t run cords under carpeting, bedding, or other combustible materials
• Check any products you have bought are not subject to a product recall
• Register your electrical appliances to make sure you are alerted if there is a safety concern with the product

General home safety:

• Complete an online home fire safety check for advice on how to stay safe in your home
• Fit working smoke alarms on every floor
• Install carbon monoxide detectors near fuel-burning appliances
• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly
• Ensure electrical and gas appliances are properly installed and maintained
• Have your boiler serviced every year
• Avoid using ovens or barbecues to heat rooms
• Keep battery-powered torches handy in case of lighting and power cuts
• Have an escape plan and keep keys in a place where everyone in your home can find
  them

Online Home Fire Safety Check

Follow this link to complete the online home fire safety check on the Safe Lincs website.

Staying Warm at Home

There are a number of services in the county to help residents stay warm at home. These
services can give information about energy efficiency in the home, such as small changes
you can make to stay warm and save money.

These services can also advise on the grants and help available if you want to make changes
to your heating system, install insulation or look at other ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

To help stay warm at home in winter and reduce your energy use, think about your:

Heating systems:

• Use programmable thermostats and timers to heat rooms only when needed
• Heat the rooms you use most and lower the temperature in unused spaces
• Bleed radiators to ensure they’re working efficiently
• Close doors to keep heat in individual rooms
• Maintain indoor temperatures of at least 18°C, especially for vulnerable individuals

Insulation and draught proofing:

• Seal gaps around windows, doors, and floorboards with draught excluders or
  sealant
• Use thermal curtains or blinds to retain heat at night
• Insulate your attic and walls if this has not already been done – this can significantly
  reduce heat loss
• Place reflective panels behind radiators on external walls to bounce heat back into the
  room

Energy-saving habits:

• Switch to LED bulbs – they use less energy
• Turn off appliances at the plug when they are not in use
• Use energy-efficient appliances and check the energy ratings when buying new ones

Laundry and cooking:

• Air dry clothes in well-ventilated areas or use a dehumidifier to avoid damp
• Batch cook meals to make the most of oven heat
• Keep pan lids on to reduce cooking time and energy use

Ventilation without heat loss:

• Ventilate briefly but effectively- open windows for short periods to reduce
  moisture without losing too much heat
• Ensure trickle vents on windows are open to provide ventilation

Personal warmth:

• Layer up with thermal clothing and socks
• Use hot water bottles, heated blankets, or microwaveable heat packs
• Keep throws and blankets handy in living areas

HEART and Lincs 4 Warmer Homes provide home energy advice and support for people in
Lincolnshire.

HEART Service

For residents of East Lindsey District Council, Boston Borough Council and South Holland
District Council follow this link to the East Lindsey District Council website or call 01507 613189.

Lincs 4 Warmer Homes

For residents of West Lindsey District Council, City of Lincoln Council, North Kesteven District
Council and South Kesteven District Council follow this link to the West Lindsey District Council website or call 01427 675199.

Damp and Mould

Damp and mould can be a problem, especially in the winter. It is important to tackle damp and mould if you see it in your home, as it might affect your health. Here are some top tips for avoiding damp and mould in the home.

Ventilation:

• Open windows regularly, even for just 10–15 minutes a day, to let moist air escape
• Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms during and after cooking or showering
• Avoid blocking air vents or trickle vents on windows

Heating:

• Keep your home at a consistent temperature, ideally above 18°C, to reduce condensation
• Use thermostats and timers to maintain warmth without overheating
• Avoid sudden drops in temperature which can cause moisture to settle on cold surfaces

Moisture control:

• Dry clothes outdoors if possible, or use a well-ventilated room with the door closed
  and a window open
• Cover pots when cooking and use lids to reduce steam
• Wipe down windows and sills daily if condensation builds up

Prevention and maintenance:

• Check for leaks in roofs, pipes, and windows and fix them promptly
• Clean mould early with appropriate cleaning products (e.g. mould specific sprays)
• Use dehumidifiers in problem areas to reduce moisture levels

Home design tips:

• Avoid placing furniture directly against cold external walls
• Use moisture-absorbing products like silica gel or moisture traps in wardrobes and
  cupboards
• Consider insulating walls and lofts to reduce cold spots where condensation forms

Anglian Water

Anglian Water can offer information, advice and help to Lincolnshire residents, including
support with paying bills, information on practical support, and how to sign up to the Priority Services Register.

The Priority Services Register is there to support people who might need additional help such as those with health and mobility problems, new and expectant families, and many others.

To protect your home from freezing weather, Anglian Water recommend:

• Insulating pipes, water tanks, and outdoor taps using lagging and insulating jackets
• Fixing dripping taps to prevent freezing and pipe blockages
• Finding and testing your stop tap so you can quickly shut off water in an emergency
• Using the frost setting or a low heating setting when you are away from your home,
  to prevent frozen pipes
• Stopping draughts by sealing gaps around doors and windows
• Checking outdoor taps: remove hoses, shut valves, and drain pipes
• Checking your water meter: ensure pipes are insulated and the cupboard is sealed
• Letting warm air flow in lofts during extreme cold to protect tanks and pipes
• Isolating and draining water supplies to unused outbuildings and garages
• Knowing what to do in case of burst pipes-turning off the stop tap and calling a plumber

To save water and energy at home:

• Take shorter showers- this can save you money on your water and power bills
• Use eco-mode or lower temperatures on washing machines and dishwashers
• Wait for full loads before running appliances to save water and energy

For more information about Anglian Water’s support, please follow this link to the Anglian Water’s website.

NHS Winter Advice

The NHS and the UK Health Security Agency have also produced a leaflet, explaining how
you can stay well this winter. It gives information about:

• Vaccines
• Keeping yourself and your home warm
• Safety concerns at home
• Financial support
• Mental health support
• Medications
• Staying active
• Hand washing
• Prescriptions
• Looking out for others
• Where to go for the right medical help

To read the leaflet, follow this link to the NHS website.

Trips and Falls

Winter time, when it is dark, icy or there are wet, slippery surfaces, can make it easy to fall. Top
tips to minimize the risk of falls are:

Outdoors:

• Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear with a good grip
• Walk slowly and carefully on icy or wet surfaces – take shorter steps
• Use handrails when available, especially on steps and ramps
• Clear the paths around your home of any ice, snow and leaves, and use grit or salt
• Keep outdoor lights on or install motion-sensor lighting to improve visibility

Indoors:

• Keep floors dry and clutter-free, especially near entrances
• If you have to use mats or rugs, ensure you use non-slip mats especially at doorways and in bathrooms
• Secure rugs with tape or non-slip backing
• Ensure that you have good lighting, especially in hallways and staircases
• Avoid trailing cables or objects that could be tripped over

Extra tips for those with mobility difficulties:

• Consider using walking aids if balance is an issue
• Install grab rails in bathrooms, on stairways and near steps
• Keep a phone and emergency contacts handy in case of a fall
• Wear clothing that doesn’t drag or catch underfoot

For more information, follow this link to the Fraility Path website.