Emergency weather support information

Published on 22 January 2018 02:59 PM

Locate your stopcock and turn off the water, this is often located under the kitchen sink or where the service pipe enters your home. Turn it clockwise for off. External stopcocks require a ‘key’ to turn them off, you can contact Thames Water for help with this.
Drain the system by turning on all your cold taps, you can save some of this water to use for making hot drinks. Switch off any water heating systems, including central heating and immersion heater.
If any electrical equipment is wet, do not touch it.
You may be able to claim for work and damage on your home insurance, so contact your home insurance provider first. They may also have recommended traders and contractors.
For details of reliable trades people, you can use the Trading Standards database at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

If possible, keep yourself warm with hot drinks at regular intervals.
Eat the food you have in the cupboards, but be careful to check for use-by dates and storage guidelines – do not risk making yourself ill.
There may be a local food bank that can provide you with a basic food parcel to last a couple of days. Most are collection only and give a maximum of three per parcels per year.
You can contact the Social Services Customer Services team on 0845 050 7666 or on the out-of-hours emergency number 0800 833 408.

If you have a condensing boiler, the drainage pipe that goes to the outside of the house may be frozen. For further information on how to check this, please see www.britishgas.co.uk.
If you need to have your heating fixed, you can find details of reliable trades people on the Trading standards database at www.buywithconfidence.co.uk.
If it isn't possible to fix your heating or heat your home then you may need to contact the Social Services Access Team on 0845 050 7666 or on the out-of-hours emergency number 0800 833 408.
If you or your partner have history in the services, the Royal British Legion can also be helpful in obtaining and delivering heaters in the short term. You can contact them on 0808 802 8080 between 8am - 4pm on weekdays.
If your heating supplier is the problem, you may be able to receive some help from the energy ombudsman on 0845 055 0760.
Oxfordshire Affordable Warmth service can advise on how to keep your home warm while keeping your fuel bills down. Contact the helpline on 0800 107 0044, this is a free call unless you are calling from a mobile phone.

Contact the Social Services Access Team on 0845 050 7666 or on the out-of-hours emergency number 0800 833 408.
Local Police Community Support Officers may be able to ‘door knock’ to check on people in the community. To get in touch with your local Police Communiity Support Officer please contact the new Police non-emergency number 101.

You may wish to contact the following organisations and services:

State Retirement Pension & Pension Credit on 0845 606 0265.
The Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 08459 15 15 15.
Disability Benefits – the Attendance Allowance Helpline on 0345 605 6055.
The Disability Living Allowance Helpline on 0345 712 3456.
The Personal Independence Payment Helpline on 0345 850 3322.
Carers Allowance on 0345 608 4321.
Job centre plus (working age benefits) on 0345 604 3719.
Post Office Card Account – Customer Services on 0345 722 3344.
The Tax Credit Helpline on 0345 300 3900.
If you do not have enough money to pay your heating bills you can contact Age UK Oxfordshire for a benefits check on 0345 450 1276.

The Age UK national Advice Line is open for enqueries from 8am – 7pm every day on 0800 169 6565.
If you are isolated or suffering from emotional distress, the Samaritans Helpline can offer support on 0845 790 9090.