“GET ready for winter”– that’s the advice today for Monmouthshire’s over 65s from an older people’s charity and an electricity distribution company.  

Age Cymru and Western Power Distribution are teaming up to help older people in south Wales prepare for winter. 

They are giving away thermometer cards that remind older people to keep their homes warm so they are less likely to become ill through cold related conditions such as colds, flu and even chest infections.

The cards also contain advice on what to do in a power cut. 

Spread the Warmth is Age Cymru’s campaign to help keep older people across Wales warm, safe and well over the winter, and this year, the electricity distribution company Western Power Distribution is supporting the charity’s work in this area.

Age Cymru and Western Power Distribution have also put together a list of tips for older people on preparing for winter.

Says Age Cymru’s Spread the Warmth coordinator Angharad Phillips:

“With winter just around the corner it’s a good time to be thinking ahead and planning to keep ourselves warm, safe and well over the colder months.

 “We have also put together a list of health tips and simple jobs that we would benefit from getting done around our homes before the temperature drops.”  

Western Power Distribution’s Karen Welch said: “We always tell our customers in advance of any planned power cuts that will happen when we have to make repairs to our network.

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

“The thermometer cards we have produced with Age Cymru will tell older people how to prepare for and also what to do during unexpected power cuts over the winter months.”

The Age Cymru and Western Power Distribution thermometer cards are available from the Age Cymru shop at unit four at the Oldway Centre in Monmouth.