Re. TIPS FOR YOUR HOME

[SteveH]

With temperatures starting to fall and northerly winds blowing hard many Brits are thinking about firing up the heating as autumn brings with it a taste of things to come. So when should we bring our boilers on line and warm our homes?

Ofgem recently announced that the energy price cap is set to rise in October, and this could force cash-strapped households will hold off with the heating until absolutely necessary. But heating professionals advise that allowing the house to get too cold risks pipes freezing - which could cost a lot to replace.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/heating-expert-shares-exact-date-to-turn-your-heating-on-this-year?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Turn off those energy-sapping appliances if you want to cut your bills say experts. Leaving devices on stand-by could be hitting pocket your without you realising it.

Home appliances can nibble away at power, which over time accumulates and impacts your energy bill. While not the main reason for elevated electricity costs, powering down these appliances is a sound tactic for saving energy at home.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/switch-off-these-energy-hogs-and-cut-your-bills-says-expert?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Safety experts have urged Air fryer fans to follow these key 'do's and don'ts' to protect themselves from a potential fire.

The warning comes as new figures show that the popular devices are now used more than conventional ovens in the kitchen. 

In fact, air fryers are now the third most used appliance in British kitchens after toasters and microwave ovens, according to a Good Food Nation study.

As the kitchen grows in popularity, households are being urged to avoid these easy-to-overlook mistakes in order to prevent a fire....................

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24613229.donts-air-fryers-safety-warning-issued/

[SteveH]

Has your hot water bottle expired? Check now to avoid severe burns

Here's how you can check if your hot water bottle is still safe to use

An expert on ITV's This Morning has urged people to check the expiration date on their hot water bottles and replace expired products. The show has also launched a campaign to prevent the 'worrying' number of burns caused by old hot water bottles and revealed that 'several high street retailers currently sell hot water bottles made before October 2022'.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents states that a hot water bottle's expiry date is two years after the date of manufacture. ITV Consumer Editor Alice Beer said you can work out the expiry date of your hot water bottle by finding a symbol that looks like a daisy with a number in the middle surrounded by 12 segments resembling petals.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/has-your-hot-water-bottle-expired-check-now-to-avoid-severe-burns?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

With winter drawing in,  the days are getting shorter and shorter and November is fast approaching.

To make up for the shortening days, the clocks will go back across the UK to give us an extra hour of much needed sunlight as we approach the darker months.

Here is everything you need to know about clock changes in the UK this year.....................

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24653943.clocks-go-back-uk-exact-date-clocks-change-2024/

In autumn the clocks will go back at 2.00am on the final Sunday of October, which this year falls on Sunday, October 27.

[cygnusx-1]

Extra hour of sunlight? It will be lighter later in the morning but darker earlier in the evening unless I have missed something!

[Ian]

I seem to remember that the parties North of the border didn't think it made much difference, and South of the border the 'tired driver' campaign won out. It was believed that drivers are tired-er in the morning than in the evening and the stats supported that.

[SteveH]

A nice cuppa brings people together - sometimes the click of the kettle is enough to make someone pop into your kitchen. But if you don't clean your kettle regularly, germs will be popping in alongside loved ones when you turn it on.

A dirty kettle is not only dangerous for your reputation as a top-notch tea brewer, it can also act as a petri dish for germs. Bacteria can grow inside your kettle if there is a limescale build-up with repeated use and non-cleaning said Dr Primrose Freestone, associate professor in Clinical Microbiology at University of Leicester.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/your-kettle-could-be-full-of-germs-heres-how-and-when-to-clean-it?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Condensation can damage your windows and furniture, and it can also cause mould which could be detrimental to your health to form.

With winter fast approaching, many of us will be noticing condensation on our windows as we try and cut down on the amount of time we have our heating on this year.

But what can we do to stop it?...https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24671528.stop-condensation-windows/

[SteveH]

Here are some tips for using a tumble dryer safely:

Clean the filter: After each use, clean the lint filter to remove fluff and fibers. A clogged filter can cause the dryer to be less efficient, damage the unit, or become a fire hazard.

Don't overload the dryer: Spread the load over multiple cycles if necessary. A half-load dries faster and prevents clothes from getting too hot.

Check the vent: Make sure the vent pipe isn't blocked, kinked, or crushed. Blocked vents can cause hot air to build up, which can lead to malfunctions or fires.

Check for warning signs: If the dryer smells like it's burning, clothes are taking longer to dry, or the clothes or cabinet feel hotter than usual, check the dryer. If you're unsure, unplug the dryer and call an engineer.

Use the right items: Make sure the items you put in the dryer are suitable for tumble drying.

Air dry: Air drying is more gentle and eco-friendly than using the dryer.

Empty the water tank: After each use, empty the water tank to prevent leakage.

Have it serviced: Have a qualified engineer service the dryer regularly.

[SteveH]

Tips on how to use your Thermostat this winter
Experts warn there are common misconceptions about heating your home so here's what to look out for...............

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tips-how-use-your-thermostat-30349877

[SteveH]

Sub-zero temperatures are hitting the UK just as gas and electricity prices have risen for millions of households.

Energy bills are about 50% higher than pre-Covid levels, leaving many struggling to cover the cost alongside other financial demands.

So what can you do to stay warm while keeping costs down?

Prioritise staying safe
Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression, according to the NHS, external.

Pensioners, children under the age of five, people with health conditions and those who are pregnant are most at risk.

So, staying safe and healthy must take priority, even when it puts pressure on the finances. That extends to checking gas appliances are safe to use when they may rarely be switched on.

Family, friends and neighbours can play their part by ensuring anyone who is more vulnerable takes care when going out on icy pavements, or is well stocked up with food and medicines at home............ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6084l4zx6o

[SteveH]

No one wants to deal with a blocked drain, but if you can avoid paying a small fortune for a plumber, then it's always worth a shot. Drains expert Jess Thomas from Drainage Central has revealed one easy method you can use to unblock your drain and save a few pounds.

She said: "Boiling hot water is often recommended as a solution for unclogging drains as the high temperature of the water can dissolve substances such as soap, grease or other soft substances that may be causing the blockage."

Jess noted that you shouldn't use boiling hot water from the kettle if you have plastic pipes as this could damage them. She said: "The water should be hot and not boiling to prevent damage occurring to the pipes."

MORE CLEANING TRICKS............. https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/unblock-your-drain-without-a-plumber-using-this-free-and-easy-trick?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589&utm_campaign=Daily-1022025&utm_medium=email&utm_source=IYA-DailyDigest&utm_term=news-link&source=email&sourceUserIid=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Transitioning to digital landlines: everything you need to know

You may have heard that landlines are changing and that the UK’s telephone network is
going digital. These changes will affect everyone who has a landline they’d like to keep
using. You needn’t worry: for most people, the switch is incredibly simple. Here’s what
you need to know and how you can help friends or family members who may be
concerned.

Earlier this year, BT and Neighbourhood Watch partnered to help communities navigate this
change, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas, across England and Wales. With 250
events planned, our volunteers are busy raising awareness, answering questions and
supporting the switch.

However, there’s still work to be done to ensure everyone, particularly vulnerable people,
know about the switch, what it means to them, what they need to do to prepare – and how
you can help them.

That’s why we’re looking for your help in spreading the word. Here are four things to
know about the switchover – and how you can help your loved ones:

Now is the time to inform and educate: ensure family members and friends understand
the switch, why it's happening, and how to prepare. Households will receive at least four
weeks' notice before switching.
1.
It’s easy – and comes with added benefits, too: switching is simple, requires no extra
cost, and includes features like spam call blocking for enhanced security. BT’s Enhanced
Call Protect prevents around 20,000 scam calls a day.
2.
Notify us of their circumstances: if you or someone you know has additional needs, a
Telecare device or healthcare pendant, or feels they need extra support with the
switchover, contact your home phone provider. Free engineer visits and battery backups
are available to ensure a smooth transition.
3.
What if they don’t have broadband? A dedicated landline service will be provided to
maintain traditional landline functionality without requiring broadband.

Have questions or need help? Visit the Connected Together website
 or if you’re a BT customer, call 0330 1234 150.

[SteveH]

Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, so it's important to prevent them wherever possible. Cera, a company that provides social care for the NHS and local authorities, has developed an AI platform to address this and reduce 250,000 falls annually, equivalent to 675 a day.

The Fall Prevention AI platform predicts when elderly people are at risk of falling or becoming ill at home with 97% accuracy, according to pilot tests of the technology. It analyses data logged by carers through an app to assess someone's fall risk and is currently in use across 29 of the UK's 42 integrated care systems.

From keeping active to making some home adjustments you can reduce your risk of falls at home.......

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/9-effective-ways-to-reduce-the-risk-of-falls-at-home?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589&utm_campaign=Daily-1632025&utm_medium=email&utm_source=IYA-DailyDigest&utm_term=news-link&source=email&sourceUserIid=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589