Free heating scheme for vulnerable pensioners expanded to Wirral

Jan 18 2012 by Helen Hunt, Birkenhead News

A SCHEME to rid homes of hazardous heating is being rolled out to Wirral.

The Merseyside fire service emergency heating campaign, which aims to reduce winter deaths caused by cold conditions, was launched in Liverpool in December and has seen more than 80 free radiators given to vulnerable people.

The scheme targets the most at-risk elderly people who are using unsafe heaters to keep warm.

New funding will mean a number of free heaters will be available to vulnerable elderly people in Wirral.

Deputy chief fire officer Phil Garrigan said: “Removing unsafe heaters from the homes of the most vulnerable will help reduce these avoidable and unnecessary excess winter deaths occurring each year in Merseyside.”

A training day will be held at Wallasey fire station, in Mill Lane, on Tuesday January 24.

To take part, call 0151-296 4367 or email FSNEmergencyHeating@merseyfire.gov.uk