Age UK to give out 500 Yorkshire Water Winter Ready kits ahead of cold snap

Cold conditions can cause havoc for external pipes, with winter temperatures potentially freezing them up and cutting off water supply.

That’s why Yorkshire Water is offering free winter ready packs for customers, which includes pipe lagging and a tap guard to help keep the frost away and keep customers’ supply flowing.

With taking care of customers in vulnerable circumstances a priority for the company, it is teaming up with Age UK Leeds and Groundwork North, East & West Yorkshire to help spread the word.

Yorkshire Water will be providing 500 kits for the charity to distribute and work with them to promote the utility company’s Priority Services Register (PSR).

Free to sign up to, PSR (https://www.yorkshirewater.com/priorityservices) provides a wide range of additional support to help make bills and meters more accessible, as well as provide temporary water if water supplies are interrupted.

Yorkshire Water Director of Water Service Delivery, Neil Dewis, said: “We are delighted to work alongside Age UK Leeds and help those in the community who would benefit from a little extra help.

“We are urging all our customers to be winter ready and order the free winter packs from our website which along with the pipe lagging and tap guard gives lots of advice on how to protect the home from the elements.”

Iain Anderson Chief Executive at Age UK Leeds said: “This is a great initiative to be a part of, many the older people of Leeds who require the priority support offered by Yorkshire Water will benefit through the winter period. The supply of winter kits will help reduce the risk of the disruption caused by frozen pipes and ensure that the most vulnerable can continue to access to clean water which is vital to their health and wellbeing.”

Customers are advised to take the below simple steps to make their homes winter-ready to help prevent frozen pipes and leaks:

• Protect all exposed pipe work, cisterns, tanks, taps and water meters in unheated areas with waterproof foam lagging or insulation
• Know where the stop tap is located at the property in case it needs to be turned off in an emergency. The main stop tap is usually found at the point where the pipe work enters the premises, often it is under the kitchen sink
• Make sure you keep a plumber’s number handy in case of an emergency
• Keep homes warm - set central heating on a low heat or a 24-hour constant setting. If going away on holiday tell a neighbour or friend so that they can check to make sure there have been no burst pipes

Customers can get a free pack at https://www.yorkshirewater.com/winterready/