Keeping your home warm and safe

Keeping your home warm

You can keep warm at home by:

• Wearing several thin layers instead of one thick layer
• Heating rooms you use most, like the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C
• Reducing draughts by using draught excluders around doors
• Keeping bedroom windows closed at night

It is also important to keep your home ventilated. This helps to prevent damp and mould, which may put your health at risk. Indoor ventilation also reduces the spread of respiratory infections. For more advice, see:

• Heating advice for homes
• Making homes more energy efficient
• Guide on the effects of damp and mould, and how to prevent it
• Keeping spaces ventilated to prevent respiratory illnesses

Keeping your home safe

Cold weather can cause water pipes to freeze and burst. See Thames Water’s website for advice on what to look out for and what to do.

Strong winds can cause damage, disruption and injuries. To stay safe, secure loose furniture, check your roof and guttering, and prune your trees before a storm. Read the Met Office website on how to keep safe in strong wind, and how to get your home and property ready in wintery conditions.

Check your gas and electric appliances are functioning well, to avoid the risks of fires, injuries and carbon monoxide poisoning. See these safety tips on the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service website.

The Government website has advice on how to prepare and what to do if your power, water and phone and Internet services are disrupted.

Concerns about home conditions

If you are concerned about the conditions of your home, such as damp and mould issues, you can do the following:

• If you live in Council housing - contact the Council’s Housing Team to arrange repair and maintenance
• If you live in private accommodation - speak to your landlord or housing association
• If the condition of the property is in disrepair or is a statutory nuisance - contact the Council’s Environmental Health Team

People sleeping rough in Wokingham Borough can access emergency accommodation during periods of severe weather. This provision is known as the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). If you see someone sleeping rough, send an alert to the Council using StreetLink.