As temperatures in Scotland are set to rise after yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are lifted, homeowners should be vigilant for water leaks.
The shift from freezing to warmer weather can cause the underground water pipes which transport water from the water company supply network to customers’ homes to move and crack.
A survey by WaterSafe, the national register of approved plumbers, revealed that 31 percent of respondents were unaware of their responsibility for the water supply pipe running into their homes.
Additionally, 47 per cent wouldn’t know who to contact if they discovered a leak.
Signs of a leaking water supply pipe include:
Reduced water pressure at the kitchen tap
A waterlogged front garden
Noisy pipes
An unusually high water bill.
For properties with a water meter, hidden leaks can be detected by taking meter readings one hour apart, while the property’s water supply is switched off using the internal stop tap.
Those without a water meter should contact their water company for advice.
Further help is at hand from specialist water supply pipe installers, who can find and fix leaking underground pipes.
Julie Spinks, Director at WaterSafe, explains: “While many of us are quite rightly on the lookout for leaking pipes inside our homes when freezing temperatures hit, you may not know that water supply pipes are vulnerable to leaks during a sudden freeze-thaw.
“If you suspect your underground water supply pipe is leaking, you should turn off your internal stop tap and take two meter readings, one hour apart.
“If the readings differ, you might have a leak and should contact a WaterSafe-approved contractor for further advice.
“Leaks can be harder to detect if you don’t have a water meter, so contact your water company for advice. If you live in a rented property, it’s a good idea to check with your landlord in the first instance.”
According to the Association of British Insurers, claims for escape of water damage are one of the most common types, with insurers paying out £1.8 million for it every day.
Find your local WaterSafe-approved water supply pipe installer at www.watersafe.org.uk.
3.9 million British pensioners could be facing a cold winter, following research which reveals over a third (36%) of over 65s expect to be too cold at home as temperatures drop.
The study found that over 65s are the most likely to be cold at home of any age group, with more than a fifth (21%) saying they can’t get their house warm on cold days, no matter what they try.
As a result, 34% of pensioners worry the temperature of their house is bad for their health on cold days, and it’s no wonder. The research, conducted by SpeedComfort, reveals that British homes are falling short of recommended healthy temperatures, putting older and vulnerable people at serious risk.
On average, British pensioners anticipate the temperatures inside their homes will drop down to 13.9°C this winter, over six degrees cooler than the World Health Organisation’s recommendations for older and vulnerable people (20°C).
According to Age UK, this drop in living temperatures can make older people more susceptible to infections, disease and viruses, and impact long-term respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions that many already live with.
The new research backs this up, with data confirming that older people are most vulnerable to the mental and physical effects of the cold.
The survey found that half (50%) of over 65s feel physical discomfort because of the drop in temperature – 7% higher than the average UK adult. Almost the same proportion (49%) say it makes them feel down.
On top of this, 46% of older people feel less motivated when cold and almost a quarter (23%) believe they get ill more often when their home is cold.
Wouter Heuterman, CEO of SpeedComfort, comments: “It’s heartbreaking to discover just how many vulnerable older people in Britain will be feeling the effects of the cold this coming winter.
“With temperatures beginning to drop and the cost of bills continuing to rise, the next few months will present a significant challenge to many households across the UK. But, for older and vulnerable people, the prospect of being cold at home this winter is particularly concerning, given the significant associated health risks.
“We know times are tough, so, if you are over 65 or have a loved one who is, it’s so important to consider alternative ways of keeping warm and safe this winter. To help with this, we’ve put together a guide for staying warm without increasing energy usage this winter.”
— Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes Scotland partners with RSPB to compile nature-friendly tips —
In light of the recent cold snap, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes Scotland is putting nature first to inspire homeowners to create their own haven for wildlife during the colder months.
Combined, UK gardens and balconies are six times the size of Glasgow and Edinburgh, covering 4,000km2 – space that with a little care and attention could make a big difference for nature. This could be as simple as introducing nest boxes and bird feeders to planting wildlife-friendly flowers.
The housebuilder has partnered with the RSPB to create a list of wildlife-friendly features to incorporate into your garden for when temperatures plunge.
Provide shelter for a rainy day
When the weather takes a turn, birds need shelter to keep warm and dry. Nest boxes are the perfect option for small birds and are a popular spot for them during colder nights, with space to cosy up together for communal warmth.
For woodland creatures, creating a deadwood or leaf pile in your garden can be used for shelter and to keep warm.
Across Scotland, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes properties has planted over 5,000 new trees in development gardens and installed over 4,000 hedgehog highways in show home gardens.
Open an outdoor kitchen
Just like us, birds need extra energy during the colder seasons to keep warm. The smaller the bird, the more likely it is to be affected by long periods of cold weather.
With longer nights and poorer weather conditions, the options for finding food is limited for wildlife meaning they often venture outside of their usual sources in the quest to find food. Without food sources, birds are at risk of starvation, which often kills many birds during winter.
You can help your garden birds by providing some food when natural resources such as berries and seeds are running low, or hard to access because of the cold weather. Find safe places for hanging bird feeders offering calorie-rich seed mixes, good quality peanuts and suet balls. Move these feeders around, to prevent predators from getting used to their location and ensure all feeders are cleaned at least weekly.
Bird landscaping
Consider the plants you grow in the garden, as they can provide a year-round sanctuary for birds. Planting trees and shrubs for garden birds will not only provide a larger nesting space for birds to take cover and keep warm during winter, but also acts a cooling space to retreat to in summer.
Shrubs – such as native holly – provide birds with berries over the winter period, which are particularly popular among blackbirds, bullfinches, sparrows and winter thrushes.
Creating flower beds of varying heights can also provide cover for birds of different sizes. For instance, allowing perennials to remain standing through the winter can offer additional shelter.
Compost leftovers and greenery
To help minimise food waste over the festive period, consider building a compost heap to recycle organic household waste, including peelings and any uneaten vegetables. Our gardens also have a wealth of greenery that are perfect for compost piles, including dead trees, shrubs and grass cuttings.
Not only will it give you compost to fertilise your garden, but it also diversifies the wildlife in your garden, and you may see some robins and blackbirds nesting there come spring.
“At Barratt, we have a nationwide commitment to creating nature-friendly outdoor spaces of all sizes in our developments. These spaces range from gardens and balconies to communal areas, all of which are now flourishing with life.”
Adrian Thomas, RSPB’s wildlife gardening expert, said: “Whatever size your garden or outdoor space is, it can offer shelter and food to a huge variety of wildlife which is especially important in the coldest months.
“Winter gardens are also beneficial for people! Getting outside, breathing some fresh air and being closer to nature is likely to give your wellbeing a boost at a time of year when it may really need it. As does the chance to watch some of the wildlife that is making the most of your garden.
“Big Garden Birdwatch is a great example of this, showing how taking note of what birds are around us – even just for an hour – can be really valuable, helping us to relax, reflect and feel more connected.”
Barratt Homes’ commitment to creating wildlife-friendly areas across its Scotland developments include:
North Scotland:
3,578 new trees planted throughout developments
2,883 hedgehog highways installed in development gardens
77,722 new sapling hedgerows planted across developments
West Scotland:
1,749 new trees planted throughout developments
1,218 hedgehog highways installed in development gardens
East Scotland:
18 nest boxes in show home gardens
61 swift nesting bricks implemented throughout developments
The UK is home to spectacular wildlife and internationally important habitats, and yet it is in the bottom 10 per cent of countries globally for protecting nature.
Sadly, nature in the UK is in trouble and in need of a helping hand, having lost 38 million birds over the last 50 years, with house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes all considered birds of conservation concern.
For more tips to encourage wildlife into your garden this winter and beyond visit Nature on Your Doorstep here.
Slow your speed to save lives, that’s the message from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) as we enter a period of wintry weather.
Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager for RoSPA said: “The UK will is entering a time of wintry weather leading to travel disruption, which can pose unique risks to drivers and pedestrians – these risks are increased if someone is speeding.
“Higher speeds mean that drivers have less time to identify and react to what is happening around them, and it takes longer for the vehicle to stop, removes the driver’s safety margin and turns near misses into collisions.
“Driving at 30mph, vehicles are travelling at around three car lengths a second – one blink and the driver may fail to see the early warning brake lights; a short glance away and the movement of a child behind a parked car will be missed.
“With that in mind, and the poor visibility this season poses, it’s clear to see the tragic consequences speeding could have”.
RoSPA advises the following when driving in darker periods of the day:
Be prepared: As the wintry weather sets in, it is crucial for motorists to adjust their driving habits. The decreased visibility during early mornings and evenings demands heightened caution. RoSPA urges drivers to use dipped headlights, and ensure clean windshields, to be extra cautious when navigating poorly lit roads.
Control your Speed: Poor driving conditions and darkness increase the risks associated with speeding. The lack of visibility, compounded by higher speeds, can lead to devastating accidents. The Department for Transport (DfT) reports that in 2023, exceeding the speed limit was deemed a contributory factor related for 21% of all fatal collisions. In 8% of fatal collisions, driving too fast for the conditions was deemed a contributory factor. 1.
RoSPA emphasises that adhering to speed limits and driving to the conditions is paramount, especially when visibility is reduced, or weather conditions are poor.
Caitlin Taylor continues: “If you must travel during poor weather, I suggest leaving ample time for the journey, ensuring you can travel within the speed limit, and try to maintain a safe distance behind other road users.
“As we age, our ability to adapt to changing light reduces, which impacts how we see colours and contrasts in low-light conditions. It also takes longer for the eyes to recover from glare”
Nearly £5 billion of support has been paid to help households with their energy bills this winter
Over £4 billion was paid to pensioners between November and March through the Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
An estimated £550 million has been spent this winter as part of the Warm Home Discount to support three million households
Over 1.1 million £25 Cold Weather Payments have been made to households in England and Wales
Halving inflation has ensured everyone’s money goes further, however we remain committed to supporting households across the country with 11.8 million pensioners receiving up to £600 in Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments.
On top of this, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has today estimated over 1.1 million Cold Weather Payments worth £29.6 million were paid out from November until the end of March – with over £9 million of this going to low-income pensioners receiving Pension Credit.
Further support was also made available through the Warm Home Discount – to support three million households at risk of fuel poverty, allowing families to keep costs down and more money in their pockets. The Government expects partnered energy suppliers to have spent around £550 million this winter across Great Britain, through direct bill rebates as well other financial and energy efficiency support.
This support was needed to protect everyday Brits from the inflationary impact of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine – helping millions of people get through the winter. Now – with energy bills dropping, wages rising, and taxes being slashed – people are set to have more cash in their pocket to help fire up the economy and beckon in more growth.
We have turned a corner after the shocks of the past few years, and we are in a new economic moment and 2024 will prove to be the year that the economy bounces back.
Minister for Pensions, Paul Maynard said: “This Government’s actions have provided vital support to pensioners most in need.
“Halving inflation has helped everyone’s finances, and we remain committed to protecting our older loved ones across the country, with 11.8 million pensioners receiving up to £600 in Winter Fuel and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments.
“And we are uprating the State Pension further from next week, meaning the full yearly basic State Pension will be £3,700 higher than in 2010, whilst the full rate of the New State Pension will rise above £11,500 a year.”
From this week people will start to see an increase in their Local Housing Allowance rates – benefitting some of the poorest families on either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit who will gain around £800 a year on average. This puts more money in the pockets of the lowest earners – giving them more spending power to boost their local economy.
The UK Government is delivering £108 billion of support over 2022-2025 – worth an average £3,800 per household – and will continue to drive down inflation to help everyone’s money go further.
These measures are boosted in April with Universal Credit and other benefits rising in line with inflation by 6.7 percent, and the State Pension increasing by an inflation-busting 8.5 percent – making sure that targeted support is going to those who need it most.
Amey South-West Trunk Roads are once again running a popular gritter-naming appeal that has, to date, led to over 6,000 gritter names being submitted by the Scottish public for consideration.
The newly named gritters will join classics such as“Sir Grits Hoy”, “Yes Sir, Ice Can Boogie”, “Skid Vicious”, and “Sweet Child O’ Brine”.
Winners from last year’s competition and new additions to the fleet for the 2023/2024 winter season include:
“Kevin Fridges” (Comedian, Kevin Bridges)
“Stone Cold Steve Frostin” (WWE Star and Actor, Steve Austin)
“Keanu Freeze” (Actor, Keanu Reeves)
“Polar Abdul” (Singer and American Idol Judge, Paula Abdul)
“Taylor Drift” (Singer, Taylor Swift)
“Sleeter Andre” (Singer, Peter Andre)
“Skate Bush” (Singer, Kate Bush)
Scotland’s tradition of coming up with inventive and fun names for their gritter fleet has gone viral on social media and makes headlines around the world.
In December 2020, Amey’s South-West fleet, with their distinctive bright orange livery, attracted the attention of IRN-BRU® who named a gritter “Grits You Thru”.
In 2021, another iconic Scottish treat joined the fleet with staff at family-run bakery Tunnock’s coining a vehicle “Caramelt Wafer”.
Gritter names can be submitted to Amey online from today via a page on swtrunkroads.scot
Gritter name reveals will take place on the @SWTRUNKROADS Facebook and Twitter channels and will appear live on the Traffic Scotland Gritter Tracker.
To prepare for this Winter, Amey have amassed 21,000 tonnes of road salt, 231,000 litres of brine, and 50,000 litres of potassium acetate.
The winter service is overseen by 10 Winter Service Duty Officers (WSDO) who provide a 24/7 presence on the network. The 17,500-tonne capacity salt barn at Amey’s Polmadie Depot, established in 2021, will continue to provide increased resilience in tackling adverse weather conditions across the trunk road network.
The South-West Winter Service is comprised of 27 Frontline Routes, 15 Patrol Routes, and 12 Footway Routes (requiring 197km of winter treatment).
The service is delivered by 56 Econ gritters and snowploughs, 16 footpath gritters, 12 tractors, and 115 Highways Operatives. Winter Patrol vehicles are equipped with the latest Mobile Condition Monitoring Equipment and are fitted with Dash Cams.
In addition, an innovative liquid brine solution is being used on all roads and footpaths, to provide a more effective clearance of ice and snow.
Winter can be a fun time for pets, but with forecasts of an ‘arctic blast’ on the way, PDSA experts are warning owners to keep our four-legged friends safe and warm in the wintry conditions. Pets can be at risk of hypothermia if they get too cold, but it’s also important to ensure they stay active during freezing temperatures.
PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, asked their Vet Nurse Nina Downing to put together her top tips on keeping our pets cosy and safe through the big freeze:
Dogs
Giving dogs their daily walks is important for their physical and mental health, even during the colder months. Try to do this during daylight hours if possible, and consider getting a good dog coat.
LED collars or high-vis leads are a good investment, to help keep both you and your pooch visible if you’re braving the dark nights and mornings.
If your dog gets wet while out, dry them off as soon as possible. If you drive your dogs to walks, then keeping a towel in the car is a good idea.
Check their paws after walks too, as snow can build up and form clumps on the fur between dogs’ toes, which can be painful. Salt and grit can also irritate their pads, so when they return from winter walks it’s a good idea to wash their paws in warm water. Keep the fur between their toes trimmed short, and you can even use some paw butter or pet-friendly skin cream which may prevent their pads becoming dry and sore.
Don’t leave dogs in cars – the inside temperature can quickly become as cold as the outside, even if you’ve just been driving with the heating on.
Never leave dogs locked outdoors, ensure they can always access shelter and warmth.
Watch out for ice, this can be slippery for them as well as us, and if it’s broken it can even cut their paws. Keep dogs off icy surfaces, and definitely keep them away from any frozen lakes and ponds.
If your dog is very young, elderly, skinny or poorly then they are at higher risk of hypothermia. They can’t control their body temperature well so need extra care to keep them warm. High risk pets should only go outside for short times in cold weather, and should be closely supervised. Give them extra bedding and consider getting a pet-safe heat mat.
Nina added: “It’s worth considering whether your dog would benefit from a good winter coat to keep them warm and dry.
“Pets that are young, old, unwell, or that have very thin fur, can all benefit from this extra protection. Make sure coats fit well and don’t restrict your dog’s movement.”
Cats
Make sure your cat has a warm, comfy bed, in a draught free area of the house. If possible, make sure this is raised off the floor – cats are often more comfortable when higher up and it will keep them out of the coldest draughts.
Never leave cats locked outdoors, ensure they can always access shelter and warmth.
If your cat prefers to stay indoors during very bad weather, help them stay active by providing toys and enrichment activities. This will ensure they don’t miss out on vital exercise. Also make sure they have a litter tray that’s kept clean, so they don’t have to go outside if they don’t want to.
If your cat prefers to spend time outside, make sure they can always come inside when they want to. Providing an alternative option, in case cat flaps get frozen shut or blocked by snow, is also a good idea.
Nina continued: “It’s really important that our pets stay active during the winter – don’t let them become a coach potato! This can be challenging when the weather is uninviting, but many dogs and cats still enjoy exploring the great outdoors even during the cold and the wet.”
She also has some advice for keeping smaller pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets cosy in the cold weather:
Small pets
Bring hutches under shelter – a shed or car-free garage is ideal, to protect them from draughts, rain and snow. Pets that are used to living outdoors can find a centrally heated home a stark contrast, so a cooler room is better, if you bring them indoors. Make sure they have access to natural light and an exercise run.
Bulk up bedding – give small pets extra bedding during the winter, so they can snuggle right down to keep warm.
Provide protection – if there’s no option than to keep hutches outdoors, then drape a blanket or piece of carpet over the mesh door to keep out the worst of the weather. You could also use plastic sheeting, but make sure any covers don’t obstruct ventilation.
Don’t forget to check water bottles or bowls several times a day to make sure they’re not frozen.
The Scottish Ambulance Service is bringing in a range of extra initiatives this winter, including new frontline staff, ambulances and enhancements to 999 call centre operations.
The initiatives will come into place in the coming weeks to help SAS meet the increased demands on their services at a time which is traditionally the busiest for the NHS.
Recruitment is already well underway to support SAS’s dedicated frontline workforce with 317 new paramedics, technicians and advanced practice practitioners joining the Service by the end of March 2024.
Additional clinicians are also being introduced in the Service’s Integrated Clinical Hub. The Hub triages less seriously ill patients who don’t need to go to A&E to receive care and provides alternative routes for treatment, freeing up ambulances and reducing pressure on A&Es.
Michael Dickson OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We know that winter will be an extremely challenging period for the NHS which is why we’ve introduced a range of initiatives to help our patients and support our staff this winter.
“Our patients are our priority, we will do everything we can to ensure patients are cared for and get the service they need quickly and efficiently.
“Not every call to 999 needs an ambulance or a trip to A&E and we are completely focussed on supporting patients to get care at home or close to home where it is safe to do so, ensuring patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
“The SAS workforce is essential as they carry out their roles often in extremely difficult circumstances and we will continue to support them during this high-pressure time.
“We urge the public to help our staff by remembering that 999 and A&E is for emergencies, if you need urgent care, but it’s not life-threatening, you can call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, or your GP during opening hours.”
Extra initiatives being brought in this winter include:
• New staff, including Advanced Practitioners into each region and 52 new vehicles such as Rapid Response Vehicles to help respond in a more flexible manner throughout the winter period.
• Maximising the use of trained volunteers such as Community First Responders, Cardiac Responders and BASICS, where appropriate.
• Utilising dedicated Patient Transport Service (PTS) resources for low acuity patients, freeing up ambulances to get help to very seriously unwell patients as quickly as possible.
• Connecting patients with local services and communicating pathway information to SAS clinicians.
• Daily meetings with health boards to respond to the challenges relating to hospital handover delays so that our highly-trained ambulance crews can be back out responding to the next patient in the community who needs our help.
• Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers (HALOs) will work with senior hospital site managers and the Service, improving the hospital admission and discharge process.
• Ensuring the wellbeing of our crews, working with Health Board partners to provide refreshments for crews at hospitals in periods of high pressure and demand
• Piloting new processes to help staff finish on time to protect their wellbeing and having a wide range of health and wellbeing services available for them to access should they need them.
REVELRY AND JOY IN HOLYROOD PARK FOR SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL
THOUSANDS of revellers gathered at Holyrood Park last night to take part in an ancient Celtic celebration to observe the end of the warmer months, and welcome in the start of the winter season.
Samhuinn Fire Festival is inspired by the Celtic tales of the turning of the wheel. Witness the epic battle between the Summer and Winter Kings unfold as the Cailleach prepares for transition into winter.
More than 5,000 people gathered at Holyrood Park, in the centre of the city to watch the revelries and welcome in the colder season. We were very grateful for the break in wind and rain that seems to persist over Edinburgh at this time for a moment that we could collectively take to celebrate the turning of the wheel into the winter months.
Sammi Searle, Chair of Beltane Fire Society, said: “Last night’s Samhuinn Fire Festival was truly spectacular and a hearty welcome to the winter season.
“Our festivals are living, breathing entities that bring together both the community and the landscape and it’s always so inspiring to see how our incredible volunteers come together as the seasons turn to unite us all with their passion and talent.
“Enormous and heartfelt thanks go out to everyone involved who gave it their all and made this night so special, and to our audience who never fail in helping us create such a magical atmosphere. We hope this was truly a night to remember.“
The modern Samhuinn Fire Festival has been running since 1988 and is the autumn and winter counterpart to Beltane Fire Festival, which is held at Calton Hill on 30th April.
The events are immersive experiences, which involve modern re-imaginings of ancient Celtic festivals to mark the turning seasons, and the turning of the wheel.
The Beltane Fire Society is a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient Celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive.
PICTURES: Alessandra Fais, Clarissa Gurd, Matt Scott, Beltane Fire Society
