Insulating homes could save lives24 November 2010
Nine pensioners died every hour in the cold of last winter, according to government figures released yesterday.
Bringing Britain's badly insulated homes up to scratch could help save lives.
More than 8 out of 10 of the excess deaths were linked to bitter weather hitting people aged 75 and over.
There were around 25,400 more deaths in England and Wales in winter 2009/10 than during the summer months, yesterday's figures show.
A drop in flu outbreaks helped cut total winter deaths last year despite the freezing temperatures.
More lives could be saved if the Government stepped in to stop British homes leaking heat - with basic insulation.
Colder countries like Finland that take precautions to protect people from the chill have 45 per cent fewer deaths than the UK.
Revamping homes so they're better insulated and cheaper to heat would save lives, slash fuel bills and tackle climate change.
Dave Timms, Warm Homes campaigner, Friends of the Earth
More than 4.5 million UK households can't afford to heat their homes properly, leading to health problems like strokes and heart disease.
Spending time in a cold, damp house increases the risk of illness and death among older people, young children and people with a disability.
Please help Friends of the Earth protect vulnerable people in dangerously cold homes and support our Warm Homes campaign.
In 2011 the Government will introduce a new energy law - we're calling for it to warm our homes, not the planet.
This Energy Bill is a chance to protect people's health and tackle climate change with a nationwide refit to improve the worst insulated homes by 2020.
© National Energy Action
