Less doorstep selling: more cold calls
18/08/2011
Energy doorstep sellers are under threat as consumer groups are calling upon the companies to stop door to door sales. Once energy companies are prohibited from promoting their services via doorstep selling, it has been predicted that a rise in telemarketing calls will come as a result.More Stories
Elderly and vulnerable Brits urged to make use of free gas safety checks as winter approaches
£200 million worth of potentially life-saving gas safety checks going unclaimed each year
Around £200 million worth of potentially life-saving gas safety checks offered free by the energy suppliers are set to go unclaimed this year, prompting the Gas Safe Register to launch a campaign today urging elderly and vulnerable Brits to find out whether they are eligible. 88% of elderly homeowners have never claimed a free gas safety check.
Homeowners over 55 rely on their mates when choosing a tradesperson
New research from Checkatrade.com, the UK's most trusted website for monitoring the reputation of tradespeople, has revealed that word of mouth is the most powerful tool to reach homeowners over 55 years old.
The research, which Checkatrade conducted amongst 2,000 homeowners, found that three quarters of homeowners over 55 said they trusted a reliable recommendation from a friend or family member more than any advertising or marketing.
Handyperson heroes
Last year over 115,000 handyperson jobs were carried out. Small home repairs such as installing grab rails, window locks, ramps and key safes can play a crucial role in helping older and disabled people live independently in their homes.
Hi Honey, i'm home!
Beekeeper Amanda Millar from Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex answered an emergency call from Sussex Wildlife Trust when up to 15,000 honey bees swarmed outside the entrance to their nature reserve at Woods Mill, Henfield in West Sussex.
Help our feathered friends as temperatures plummet
As winter starts to bite, the RSPB are reminding people that natural food sources for garden birds such as fallen fruit, berries and insects start to dwindle, and some species will rely on human help to ensure they keep their energy up.
How can I grow ginger?
A reader, Miss P Gillow, tells us that she adores ginger and has asked us whether she can grow it herself. We posed the problem to our gardening guru Carole Davies.
Over 65s ignoring fire risks
Over-65s are putting their lives at risk when it comes to the life threatening danger of a fire in the home, with almost 80% dismissing the possibility of fire.
Home insulation – it could be FREE!
Winters draws on - and with it higher fuel bills. But are you missing a trick by leaving your home poorly insulated - when you could get it done at a subsidised rate or even for free?
Are you up for the 'Time to Change' Challenge
'Time to Change' are offering the owner of the UK’s oldest working fridge a top of the range energy efficient model in exchange for their old one.
Make nature count with the RSPB’s summer wildlife survey
The RSPB wants to know what sings, chirps, snuffles and barks in your garden with its summer wildlife survey. Make Your Nature Count, running from the 5-13 June 2010, asks people to count the wildlife in their garden over the summer.
Warning to elderly over digital retuning scams
Older people have been warned not to pay excessive amounts to traders for retuning their television sets following the digital switchover.
Not your 'bog standard' Day....!
Thomas Crapper Day (27 January 2010) marks the 100th anniversary of Thomas Crapper’s death, and the Consumer Council for Water is calling for consumers to take a minute to reflect on where we might be without today’s modern sewerage system, and consider our responsibility in helping it continue to work properly.
Wildlife charity encourages curtain twitching
Conservation charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species is asking members of the public to keep an eye on mammals in the green spaces around their homes and places of work as part of their annual survey, Living with Mammals. The survey records the public’s observations of mammals and their tell-tale signs in the built environment, helping provide a picture of how towns and cities can support our native wildlife.
Beware of gas cowboys
A quarter of a million gas jobs are potentially botched every year by irresponsible traders who don’t have relevant skills or qualifications. And as the days are getting colder, and many of us are turning to our central heating, the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) is urging consumers to take care should they need to find a handyman to fix their boiler.
