Protect your pipes and play safe around watercourses during the cold weather

17th January 2013

With the arrival of low temperatures and snow in Scotland, Scottish Water is reminding people to ensure their properties are protected and to play safe around watercourses.

We are asking householders and businesses to ensure that their properties are protected and urging them to follow Scottish Water’s winter code - a set of simple steps to protect your pipes, be prepared and heat, insulate and protect your property - whether it’s your home, a holiday home or business premises.

Scottish Water’s winter campaign is advising people what steps to take to help prevent a burst or frozen pipe, how to locate their stop valve, what to do in an emergency and how Scottish Water can help.

Customers are being advised to follow Scottish Water’s winter code:

• Heat, insulate and protect your pipes.
• Leave your heating on at a low setting.
• If you are going away then make sure you have someone who can regularly check your property for any problems and have details of how to contact you in an emergency.
• If your property is going to be vacant, turn off your water supply and drain the system. A licensed plumber should be able to advise you about this.
• Keep your insurance documents somewhere secure and water-tight so you can access them easily if needed.
• Locate your stop valve.
• Keep a note of the telephone number of a licensed plumber.
• Keep a note of the Scottish Water Customer Helpline number – 0845 601 8855.
• Be a good neighbour and keep an eye out for your neighbours, especially the frail and elderly or disabled.

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s Customer Service Delivery Director, said: “Customers who take action to heat, insulate and protect their properties can avoid considerable headache and heartache.

“Our winter campaign aims to inform our customers, homeowners and businesses about the importance of protecting their pipes to avoid the hardships that so many experienced two winters ago. Unfortunately, many customers found out in the winter of 2010-11 that the real problems start when temperatures begin to rise again after such a cold snap. This can lead to pipes expanding and bursting.

“Very often people think it won’t happen to them, but there are few things more upsetting than coming home or into work to find everything ankle deep in freezing water and your carpets, furniture and equipment all ruined because of a burst pipe.”

This year, Scottish Water has again joined forces with the Scottish Government’s Ready for Winter? Campaign and British Red Cross – as well as partnering with a range of bodies such as landlord and housing associations and plumbers’ federation SNIPEF - to help spread our message across Scotland.

While homeowners represent the biggest target audience, the campaign also focuses on the need for businesses, landlords and holiday home owners to safeguard their properties.

Play safe around watercourses

Scottish Water is also advising customers that they should not take any risks around watercourses.

Parents should keep their children safe and adults should act responsibly around watercourses. Our advice is that people should not wander too near the edge because they could slip and fall in. Dogs also need to be kept on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water.

One of the biggest concerns with dog owners is when their pet experiences difficulties after going in to water, chasing a ball or stick. The pet more often survives such incidents, but the owners, who have attempted to save them, may not. Dogs need to be kept on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water.

Visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/winter where you can find winter information, films and advice.