Get your home ready for winter

We're teaming up with the sponsor of our HandyVan service - the gas distribution company Wales & West Utilities, to offer older people advice on getting their homes ready for winter.

Says Age Cymru's HandyVan Fitter Sean Overbury:

"Winter is on its way and it's probably the season when you're likely to be spending the most time indoors.

"So now is a good time to be looking ahead and getting all those little jobs done around your home in time for winter."

Protecting yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning is a vital part of this process as Wales & West Utilities' Communications Manager Elizabeth Warwick explains:

"Make sure you get your boiler and gas appliances serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer to help protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Carbon monoxide is known as ‘The silent killer' - you can't see, smell or taste it and it kills 40 people a year across the UK, injuring thousands more."

Here is Age Cymru and Wales & West Utilities' pre-winter checklist

1. Gas appliances check
A yearly check can ensure that your appliances are working safely. Make sure that the check and any repairs are done by a Gas Safe-registered engineer.

2. Carbon monoxide detectors
Carbon monoxide is known as ‘The silent killer' because you can't see, taste or smell it. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be similar to cold, flu or food-poisoning - headache, feeling sick, sore throat and dry cough.

3. Trip hazards
To avoid tripping over cords or wires, coil them up or tape them close to the wall. If you can, organise your appliances so that they are close to a socket. Loose rugs and mats can be a trip hazard and should be avoided, if possible.

4. Electric sockets
Overloaded sockets can be a fire hazard. If you don't have enough sockets, use a bar adapter on a lead, rather than a block adapter. But for appliances that use a lot of power, like electric heaters or washing machine, only fit one plug in each socket.

5. Lighting
Good lighting is particularly important on the stairs. Make sure that your light bulbs are bright and look for ones that come on straight away.

6. Draught excluders
Use draught excluders to prevent heat escaping under doors but remember it's important to leave some ventilation to reduce condensation and prevent the build-up of waste gases from fuel-burning appliances.

7. Radiator reflectors
Installing radiator reflectors behind radiators that are fitted to outside walls of your house can help to reflect heat back into your house.