MONMOUTHSHIRE’S older residents can claim a free thermometer card to help them make sure their homes are warm enough during cold weather.

Age Cymru has teamed up with WPD to produce the thermometer cards which tell older people:

· When their home is ideally heatedto between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius (65 to 70 degrees Farenheit);

· If their homes are too cold which can put them at risk of hypothermia, strokes or heart attacks;

· If their homes are too warm and they are at risk of overheating;

The thermometer cards also carry handy information from WPD about what to do in the event of a power cut and how to contact them.

They are available from:

· Age Cymru’s free, confidential and impartial advice service, Age Cymru Advice by calling freephone 08000 223 444;

· Age Cymru shop, Unit 4 Oldway Centre, Monmouth, NP25 3PS;

“The cold can make older people more vulnerable to some illnesses” said Age Cymru’s Spread the Warmth campaign coordinator Angharad Phillips.

“If you’re exposed to a cold environment for a long time, or to extreme cold for only a short time, your blood pressure rises which means you could be at risk of a heart attack or stroke.

“These thermometer cards we have produced with the support of WPD will help older people to make sure their homes are heated to a safe temperature during cold winter weather.”

“We always tell our customers in advance of any planned power cuts that will happen when we have to make repairs to our network”, said Phil Davies, WPD’s Network Services Manager for Wales.

“But from time to time power cuts happen due to circumstances beyond our control, so it’s important to be prepared.

“There’s now a new National phone line number to report a power cut - simply call 105.

“The thermometer cards will tell older people what to do in the event of an unplanned power cut including tips on food safety and lighting.”

For more information about Age Cymru’s ‘Spread the Warmth’ campaign, visit: www.agecymru.org.uk/stw

Age Cymru works nationally and locally through its network of independent local Age Cymru partners.

Age Cymru is committed to achieving an age friendly Wales where older people have equal rights to respect, opportunities and the same access to services as the rest of the population.