Cold weather advice

Let's look out for each other this winter. Please check on your neighbours, especially the elderly and disabled, to make sure they are safe and well during the cold snaps.

It’s often elderly people who suffer the most during the winter months, so a quick check to see if they are alright could make the world of difference.

If you have concerns about the safety of a neighbour, please contact Liverpool Careline on 0151 495 2606 or Age UK on 0800 678 1602.

During severe cold weather, we will call all our vulnerable tenants to make sure they are warm, safe and have the essentials they need. Make sure you receive that call by keeping us up–to-date if you change your telephone number.

Keeping yourself warm

It’s important for everyone to keep warm in the winter – both indoors and outdoors

• Wrap up when you’re out and about, wearing plenty of layers and warm shoes.
• Eat well including lots of fruit and vegetables – making sure you have lots of hot meals and soup throughout the day. We've got lots of easy, low energy and low cost meal ideas on The Market Place recipe hub. 
• Keep active and try not to sit still for more than an hour or so if possible.
• Keep simple cold, flu and sore throat remedies in the house. Your pharmacist can make suggestions and can also advise you on how to manage minor illnesses.
• Don’t forget to get your flu and pneumonia jab from your doctor. This is free if you are 65 years of age or older.

Keeping your home warm

• Keep your bedroom window closed on winter nights.
• Close your curtains and fit thermal linings if you can - this will keep the heat in.
• Get to know the timer and thermostat on your heating system. If it is very cold set the timer to switch the heating on earlier rather than turning up the thermostat to warm your house quickly. If you need help with this give us a call and we will visit you in your home.

Recommended temperature for your living room is 70°F/21°C and the rest of the house should be 64°F/ 18°C.

If you're struggling to heat your home our benefits and energy advice team is here to help.

Warm hubs

Warm hubs are a safe, warm place that provide a friendly, inclusive environment, hot drinks and a biscuit or two. Following the rise in energy prices and the return of the colder weather, there are warm spaces across Speke and Garston that you can visit.

Providing light refreshments, we’ve worked with our partners to point you in the direction of your nearest warm hub.

Read more

How to deal with freezing pipes

• Turn off the water supply by the main stop tap by turning it clockwise.
• Turn on all your taps to drain away remaining water in the tanks and pipes
• Switch off the central heating.
• If the pipe is accessible you can try to defrost the pipe yourself by wrapping it with hot, wet towels and pouring on additional hot water until the pipe has completely thawed.
• Make sure you place containers or towels below and around the area to prevent water damage to the floor, kitchen units etc. Never use a fierce heat or a naked flame to defrost pipes, as this may cause the pipes to burst. 

If you have done all the above and your pipes are still frozen, call us on 0330 303 3000 and we will get a plumber out to you.

What to do if you have a burst pipe

• Turn off the water supply by the main stop tap by turning it clockwise.
• Turn on all your taps to drain away remaining water in the tanks and pipes.
• Switch off the central heating.
• Soak up any escaping water with towels or thick cloths.
• If water has leaked near your electrics, switch off the mains electricity immediately. If the mains switch is wet, don’t touch it as you risk electrocution.
• Call us on 0330 303 3000 and press option 1 and we will arrange to get a plumber out to you.