Keeping safe and warm in the cold weather

With the temperature dropping well into the minuses this week and The Met Office issuing a cold weather warning, here are our tips for keeping safe and warm.

If you’re struggling to keep your home warm or need repairs then please contact us on 0300 123 3399 or through your MyRaven online account. If you have issues with your heating then please contact Sureserve on 0330 002 1169.

Also remember to check in on neighbours, friends or family who may need extra support during the cold weather.

Keeping warm

• Set your heating to come on at regular times and try to keep your home to 18°C.
• Never cover radiators with furniture, curtains or clothes as this stops the heat from circulating properly
• Keep the heat in by closing doors and curtains and using draught excluders.
• Eat regular hot meals and drink warm drinks.

If you’re struggling with the cost of heating your home, then people on certain benefits are eligible for a cold weather payment from the Department for Work and Pensions if the actual or forecast temperature at their local weather station hits 0°C on average for seven days in a row. Find out more here. Our Moneywise team is on hand with practical advice and support for how to get help during the cold weather and can put you in touch with charities and local immediate help. Contact Moneywise by calling 0300 123 3399 or raising an enquiry on MyRaven.

Warm Hubs in Surrey are open as somewhere to go to keep warm, enjoy refreshments and meet up with others. Find your local hub here.

Frozen pipes

Frozen pipes can cause serious damage to your home and lead to loss of water or flooding if they burst.

Take these simple precautions to greatly reduce the risk during cold weather:

• Keep your heating on low during very cold weather, even when you’re out.
• Set your thermostat to maintain a steady temperature rather than turning the heating off completely.
• Insulate exposed pipes, especially those in lofts, garages, cupboards or outside walls. Foam pipe insulation is easy and inexpensive to get hold of from a hardware shop.
• Disconnect garden hoses and turn off outdoor taps.
• Make sure you know where your main stopcock is located and check it turns easily. Common locations include under the kitchen sink, in a utility cupboard or near the front door.

What do to if a pipe freezes:

• Turn off the water supply at the stopcock if you think a pipe has frozen or burst.
• Don’t turn on taps fully, as this can increase pressure and cause a burst when the pipe thaws.
• Gently warm the pipe using a warm cloth or hot water bottle. Never use naked flames or electrical heaters.
• If you can’t locate the frozen pip or there is visible damage or flooding, contact us straight away on 0300 123 3399.