Keep out the cold (From Penarth Times)

Keep out the cold

A PENARTH pensioner who has received a new central heating system under a national campaign to cut winter deaths and improve the nation's health was visited by the Welsh Assembly Government's Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration last week.

Edwina Hart AM paid a visit on Tuesday to Dennis Richards, 72, of Archer Road, to see what a difference a warm home has made to his life as part of Warm Homes Week.

Under the scheme, Dennis' home was fitted with a new central heating system, low energy lightbulbs and smoke alarms free of charge, to improve energy efficiency levels and reduce fuel bills.

Dennis said: "I very pleased with the new central heating system and I am sure it will reduce my heating bill significantly. Before I had no central heating at all and had to rely on a gas fire."

Edwina Hart AM said: "In the 21st century no one should go cold in their own home because of poor insulation, inadequate heating or because they can't afford rising fuel bills.

"Fuel poverty is a serious and urgent problem faced by too many vulnerable people, including the elderly and lone parent families, and we need to work hard to eradicate it once and for all.

"We hope Warm Homes Week will raise awareness of the financial help that is available to provide real, practical improvements such as better insulation and replacement central heating systems."

Cold damp homes affect health and well-being.

They can trigger respiratory illness, such as asthma and bronchitis, and coronary conditions, such as stokes and heart attacks.

Every year in the UK an average 30,000 people die unnecessarily from cold-related illness.