Big freeze

Big freeze: Homeowners over 65 worry most about a cold weather crisis but are less likely to have an emergency plan 

 

• Ageas UK and Saga unite to help support people with advice on how to protect themselves and their homes during freezing conditions. 

• New research shows the biggest worries with extreme weather events amongst people over 65 are power cuts, broken boilers and frozen pipes. 

• Those aged 65 and above are more likely to have insulated pipes in their homes to prevent them freezing, but are half as likely to have an emergency plan in place. 

With parts of the UK forecast to be facing freezing conditions, a new survey1 shows homeowners over 65 years of age worry the most about how to cope in a cold weather crisis. 

The research reveals they also worry the most about power cuts, broken boilers and frozen pipes.2 

It was carried out on behalf of one of the UK’s biggest motor and home insurers, Ageas UK, who have partnered with Saga, to offer advice to householders on how to prepare for cold weather.  

Homeowners aged 65 and over are more likely to be aware of the damage that frozen pipes can cause3 and are more likely to have taken action by insulating the pipes in their properties (national average = 51%, those aged 65+ = 68%). 

They also think it would take far longer to get things back to normal if the worst happened and their home was by damaged by pipes freezing then bursting and flooding the home (national av estimate = 3.7 months, aged 65+ = 5.5 months). 

But despite that knowledge, they are half as likely as the rest of the population to have an emergency plan in place in case of a crisis caused by severe weather (national av = 23%, aged 65+ = 11.5%).  

Saga’s Home Product Manager Anna Thunstrom said,  

“We know people can often dread cold weather but just by following a few simple tips they can make their homes more resilient to the cold to keep both the home, and those living there, cosy. 

“This includes having a plan to cope with emergencies such as power cuts, and ensuring sufficient supplies of food and water if it is not possible to leave the home for a period of time.”  

Make your home more freeze resilient from the inside out: 

• Get your pipes checked for leaks or drips. Look for split, dripping, rusting or oxidised pipes and joints. Run the taps to make sure that the water is free flowing. 
• Repair dripping taps. Make sure to get leaky taps, showers, and toilets fixed by a plumber, as even small trickles of water can lead to frozen pipes. 
• Make sure pipes and tanks are insulated. Pipes and tanks in loft spaces and other draughty areas should be lagged to prevent them from freezing. You can also have self-regulating pipe heat tape or heat cables fitted to prevent water freezing in metal and plastic pipes.  
• Test your stop tap. If you know where your internal stop tap is (also known as an isolation valve or stopcock), test it hasn’t seized up by turning it on and off. It is the quickest way to stop a water leak. If you don’t know where it is ask a friend or family member to help you. 
• Consider a leak detector. These can monitor your usual water use and can turn off the water if they detect a leak. Alternatively, use your water meter to check for leaks. 
• Insulate windows and doors. Applying weather strips or insulation foam to your windows and using draught excluders around doors to help keep your home warm and reduce energy bills. It’ll stop cold from getting in and doesn’t cost too much. 

External resilience: 

• Make sure taps and pipes are insulated. External taps and pipes should be lagged to prevent them freezing. 
• Paths. Paving or tarmac can be cleared of snow and ice using sand, grit, or salt - ordinary table or dishwasher salt is fine, don’t take the rock salt from salting bins to use on private paths and pavements, this is needed to keep roads clear.  

Helpful advice and information is available in the Government’s cold weather advice to individuals.  

Ageas Claims Director Stephen Linklater said, 

“We understand just how disruptive and distressing it can be when our homes or vehicles are damaged by extreme weather and so we are urging people to take heed of the weather warning and do everything they can to protect themselves.  

“We have put systems in place to contact customers in areas deemed at risk by bad weather and provide advice on staying safe, as well as how to report a claim.” 

Homeowners can find more advice and tips on how to protect their homes at Ageas’s dedicated weather hub.