Blackwood Homes and Care
Winter Planning Information Leaflet
blackwoodgroup.org.uk
160 Dundee Street | Edinburgh | EH11 1DQ
Winter Planning
This leaflet will set out what our responsibilities are as your landlord, what your local authority has a duty to do in your area and what is your job is as a tenant. It also provides you with hints and tips for what to do to protect your home from the cold, gives you a list of emergency contacts and resources.
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What Blackwood Will Do As your landlord, we are responsible for maintaining your home, especially during cold snaps. If your boiler breaks down, we will arrange repairs and have taken extra steps to support you during severe weather: • In certain housing developments, we have grit bins, and we’ve asked our contractors to stockpile grit. We will refill grit bins if you let us know when supplies are running low. • We’ve also made sure our contractors keep a stock of emergency heaters, just in case your heating fails.
What Your Local Authority Should Do Your council has specific responsibilities during extreme weather to help keep you safe: • Roads: Councils are responsible for gritting and clearing snow from adopted roads, starting with main routes and then moving on to smaller roads. They are also in charge of abandoned vehicles on public roads. • Footpaths: Public footpaths should be cleared by the council, but they won’t clear paths on private properties. • Snow Disposal: Councils should provide guidance on where to safely pile cleared snow so it doesn’t block drainage or obstruct paths. 3.
Things You Could Do There are a few things you can do to make life easier during cold spells: • If you use a payment meter for your gas and electricity, ensure that these are topped up so you’re prepared in case of emergency. • Keep a working torch handy in case of power cuts. • If you rely on medical equipment, contact your utility provider to join the priority services register for extra support during power failures.
Snow Clearing Tips
• Don’t use hot water to melt snow; it may create black ice. • Spread grit or salt after clearing to prevent ice and provide grip. • Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, and brightly coloured clothing if you’re clearing snow near roads. • Clear a path down the centre of the area first, then work outward. Be mindful of where you pile the snow to avoid blocking paths or drains. • Take care when clearing steps or slopes and use extra salt to reduce slipping risks.
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Winter- Proofing Your Home There are a few things you can do to make life easier during cold spells: • Keep your heating on low during cold snaps to stop pipes from freezing • Know where your stop valve is in case of leaks and how to turn off your water and electricity supplies • If your pipes freeze, turn off the stop valve, drain the cold water system, and gently thaw pipes using a heated cloth • If you can’t heat all rooms, keep your living space warm during the day and heat your bedroom before bed
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Contact Information Contact Blackwood Homes and Care 0131 317 7227 cst@blackwoodgroup.org.uk Contact Your Local Council https://www.mygov.scot/contact-local-council
Useful Contacts & Resources Scottish Water if you need to report a leak, resources for protecting pipes from freezing, and other useful information 0800 0778 778 | www.scottishwater.co.uk Changeworks if you need Energy Advice www.changeworks.org.uk Ready Scotland for information to help you prepare for the colder weather ready.scot
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Contact Us 0131 317 7227 cst@blackwoodgroup.org.uk www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk
We are committed to providing tenants and customers with accessible versions of this and other reports. If you would like a large font version, braille or alternative language, please get in touch with our Customer Service Team by email cst@blackwoodgroup.org.uk or telephone 0131 317 7227 to request this.
160 Dundee Street | Edinburgh | EH11 1DQ