Warm Homes, Healthy Futures

We are now halfway through our 1-year partnership with NEA (National Energy Action), under their 'Warm Homes, Healthy Futures' project.

This project is helping residents be safer in their homes and more aware of the dangers of unsafe gas boilers. Our outreach officers have been given additional carbon monoxide training, to help raise awareness to householders through our in-home visits and to supply a new carbon monoxide monitor to vulnerable residents. This will increase early detection of high carbon monoxide levels and help prevent exposure to ‘the silent killer’. This expression comes from the fact that carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, which makes it undetectable before the poisoning symptoms start.

Carbon monoxide symptoms can seem similar to the flu, as they will present themselves as headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion and, eventually, loss of consciousness. Although carbon monoxide can be found in a number of outdoor sources, largely from exhaust fumes, it can be particularly dangerous in enclosed spaces due to the lack of airing. If you use gas in your home for cooking or heating, or have wood-burners, then it is recommended to have a carbon monoxide detector nearby.

Residents can also benefit from gas boiler servicing, as proper maintenance can help reduce the risk of a carbon monoxide leak. Boilers should be serviced every year: as well as the carbon monoxide risk, un-serviced boilers can also increase the chance of breakdowns, leaving the owner without heating and hot water, and these boilers tend to run less efficiently which means that people often end up paying more for heating their home.

Along with this information, and the energy bill and efficiency advice from our expert advisors, residents through this scheme can be referred to NEA’s specialist benefit advice team. With our team working to make energy bills smaller, and a benefits team helping to maximise income, we can help reduce the often-overwhelming percentage of household income that is spent on energy bills every month.

This scheme is available to people with long-term health conditions or disabilities. If you work with a resident in our area who could benefit from this support, then you can refer them to us through our professional referral portal here.

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