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As freezing weather hits
Southport, British Gas predicts a rise in household appliance breakdowns
WITH temperatures expected to dip
below freezing (-1 degree Celsius) this week, British Gas has predicted a
surge in engineer visits to repair broken boilers or fix issues with
appliances across Southport.
Across Merseyside the Home Services provider is predicting to visit more
than 1,600 homes to help people experiencing a problem with their household
appliances. UK calls are predicted to rise by over 22% (from 234,126 to
287,335) when compared to the same period last week.
To ensure it can meet this increased demand for support, British Gas has
upped the number of staff in its call Centres for the winter months and has
10,000 engineers ready to go out to customers who might be experiencing
difficulties.
British Gas has an in-house meteorologist, whose role entails monitoring up
to 30 different weather stations across the UK and reviewing the number of
jobs British Gas has attended to in the past. By keeping an eye on sudden
changes it is possible to make sure there are engineers prepped and ready to
go out to customers as quickly as possible.
Peter Knowles, a British Gas engineer serving homes across Merseyside,
said:- "Our top priority is to keep our customers' homes warm, safe
and working during the winter months. As Southport prepares for a cold snap
and potential snow fall, we are on standby to reach customers' homes quickly
if anything goes wrong."
Practical advice....
1. Love your boiler - Check to make sure that your boiler is working
properly before the cold sets in. The older your boiler, the more
inefficient it will be. If you have a pressure gauge make sure the boiler is
at the right pressure and top up as necessary.
2. Bleed your radiators - to make sure they are working properly. If
your radiators have cold spots, this means you have air in the system, so
you will need to bleed them to get them working efficiently.
a. To do this, turn the system off and then turn the radiator key
until the air stops and water runs consistently. Once you have turned the
system back on, the problem should be solved.
b. Bleeding your radiator may result in pressure dropping. If you
have a pressure gauge make sure the boiler is at the right pressure and top
up as necessary.
3. Block the breeze - Make sure all of your home's windows and doors
seal properly to stop warm air escaping. For those that don't, fitting
draught excluders, which you can buy from most DIY stores, is a quick and
cheap way to cut down on your energy bills.
4. Save money on bills by insulating your home free of charge - If
your home is suitable, you could save your cash by getting your cavity walls
insulated and your loft insulated. Find out more
here.
To pick up some extra tips to help keep your home warm and working this
winter, click on
here.
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Generous supporters
raise over £24,000
DURING December 2015, Nugent Care's fundraising team
appealed to the people of Merseyside to donate food, clothes, toys and money
to help support individuals and families in need during the festive period.
So far Nugent Care has collected £12,000 in financial donations and toys and
clothes for families and parcels for people living in poverty to the value
of £12,000, making a combined total of £24,000.
The support came from local schools who held sponsored Christmas Jumper
days, Nugent Care supporters running in Liverpool's Santa Dash, Carol
Concerts at St Peter and Paul and St Benet's churches, and children from The
Epsom Centre in Vauxhall holding a sleep out to raise money for the
Homeless.
51 schools from across the City attended carol concerts in the Metropolitan
Cathedral and donated gifts of toys worth over £5000 and supporters donated
660 shoe boxes for the homeless (with an estimated value of over £6600),
containing toiletries and other goodies which were delivered through Nugent
Care's volunteers, who gave the gift of time to visit isolated and
vulnerable people.
The Lord Mayor, Tony Concepcion, along with Nugent's charity partner
Carrington's Catering, put their support behind the appeal to businesses in
the City to donate food, so that staff could make up hampers for families
and older people who are struggling to make ends meet.
Many schools made up shoeboxes filled to the brim with toiletries, hats,
scarfs and Christmas goodies, and one kind lady even knitted and donated 5
bags of hats, scarfs and gloves to help keep people warm this winter.
Marie Reynolds, Nugent Care's Fundraising Manager, said:- "The
support of local people, and of our volunteers is testament to the caring
area we live in. I can't thank everyone enough for the gift of time, skills,
friendship, and financial donations."
Vandalism and Racist graffiti in and around
Southport
A spate of vandalism and racist graffiti across Southport is
being reported to have taken place. On Post Office Ave, a door was
'tagged' along with many other buildings and walls, with reference to
Polish people. This was quickly painted over by the property owners. Most of
this offensive language is said to be making reference made to the English
Defence League (EDL), as well as ISIS. We have not posted photos on editorial
grounds, as we do not want to highlight the property targeted. A spate of
businesses having windows smashed have noted that some say could very likely be
the same group. This anti social behaviour is being blamed, by some residents on
gangs of local youths. If you know who could be to blame for this vandalism,
please contact Merseyside Police or alternatively you can call
Crimestoppers
anonymously on:- 0800 555 111. |
