The first cold snap has a way of making you look at your parent's home differently. It's often the small things you notice first: a draught under the back door, a torch that hasn't had new batteries in years, or a parent who keeps their coat on indoors and tells you they're fine.
You're not alone in noticing. In our research for The Price Carents Pay, 84% of carents told us they worry more about their parent's safety in winter.
Worry is useful when it turns into a plan. Here are five things worth checking now, while the weather is still kind enough to get things sorted.
1. Warmth: is the heating working, and is it being used?
A working boiler is only half of it. Plenty of older people keep the heating low to save money, or forget to put it on at all.
Get the boiler serviced if it hasn't been done this year.
Check they know how to use the thermostat and timer. Write it down next to them if it helps.
Look for draughts: a door snake or draught excluder is cheap and quick.
Check there's a working carbon monoxide alarm near the boiler or any gas fire, as well as a smoke alarm in the house
Make sure the room they use most stays warm through the day, not just in the evening.
If money is the reason the heating stays off, check what they're entitled to with our benefits calculator.
2. Power cuts: would they cope, and would anyone know?
Winter storms bring power cuts, and . This is where you come in.
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free register run by energy suppliers and network operators. People on it can get extra support during a power cut. Depending on where your parent lives, that can include being contacted when there's a planned or unexpected cut, a password scheme so they know a caller is genuine, and welfare support in a long outage.
Your parent may be able to join if they have reached state pension age, have a long-term health condition or disability, rely on medical equipment, or just need a bit of extra help for a while, for example after a hospital stay.
It takes a few minutes, and you can do it for them: family members can register a parent on their behalf. Go to thepsr.co.uk and register through their electricity network operator. Their details can then be shared with their gas and water companies, so you shouldn't need to register with each one.
While you're doing it, you can add yourself as their nominated contact, so you can help manage their bills or talk to their energy companies for them. You may be eligible yourself too, so it's worth checking the list on the site while you're there.
Then do the basics:
A torch (not candles) somewhere they can find it in the dark, with spare batteries.
A charged mobile or a corded landline phone, as cordless phones stop working when the power goes.
105 (the number for a powercut) and your number written down by the phone.
3. Medicines: will they run out over Christmas?
GP surgeries and pharmacies have shorter hours over the holidays. Check repeat prescriptions now so nothing runs low between Christmas and New Year. If your parent is eligible for the flu vaccine or other winter vaccines, help them book in.
4. Falls: are paths, stairs and nights safe?
Put a night light on the route from bed to bathroom.
Check the outside light works, and the path to the door.
Keep a bag of grit or salt by the front door.
Make sure slippers fit and have a grip.
5. Checking in: who does what, and when?
If you share the load with siblings, other family or neighbours, now is the time to agree who checks in, how often, and what happens if your parent doesn't answer. A short message group or a shared list on the fridge can save a lot of worry on a stormy night.
And one for you
Your one thing to do this week
If you do nothing else, check your parent is on the Priority Services Register. You can register them yourself at thepsr.co.uk. It's free, it takes minutes, and it means someone else knows to look out for them when the lights go out.
Questions carents ask about winter and power cuts
Is the Priority Services Register free? Yes. It's free to join for energy customers in England, Scotland and Wales.
Can I sort out the register for my mum or dad? Yes. Family members can register a parent on their behalf at thepsr.co.uk. Your parent can also choose a family member as their nominated contact, to help manage bills or talk to their energy companies for them.
What number do I call in a power cut? 105, from a landline or mobile, in England, Scotland and Wales. It's free and puts you through to the local network operator. In Northern Ireland, call 03457 643643.
