Sixty extra deaths a year due to cold
More than 60 people die each winter in Dacorum because of avoidable cold-related illnesses.
Figures presented to watchdogs reveal between 2001 and 2006 an average of 62 people died each year because of the cold.
In 2008 the figure rose to 67 - due to a bad winter - and the current severest winter for 30 years is only likely to see the number increase further.
A report on fuel poverty presented to Dacorum Borough Council's social scrutiny committee said the cost of heating homes played a part in the rise.
"Increasing energy prices may have exacerbated the situation," the report said.
The report said hypothermia only caused a small proportion of deaths.
"The causes of cold-related illnesses and respiratory and circulatory illness are thought to be attributed more to indoor temperature rather than outside temperature," the report said.
"There is now a widely accepted chain of causation which links poor housing and poverty to low indoor temperatures and thus to cold-related deaths."
Councillor Hazel Bassadone said she was not surprised by the figures.
"I would expect more people to die in the winter than in the summer," she said.
But Vicki Nash, home energy conservation officer, said: "We have the highest rate in northern Europe.
"We do expect to have more deaths in the winter but there is a proven link between health problems in winter and cold and damp homes."
The meeting was told in Britain there were between 20,000 and 60,000 extra deaths during the winter because of cold-related health problems.
Among the illnesses exacerbated by cold are heart disease, stroke and asthma.
People most vulnerable to fuel poverty are the elderly, families with young children and those with long-term illness or disability.
The report outlined objectives to tackle the problem including setting up a multi agency steering group, distributing information and improving heating and insulation in homes.
Councillor Mike Moore said: "We need to shout it loud and hard to make sure people know there's funding out there to give them a hand."
To find out more about free home insulation contact the government-funded Herts Essex Energy Partnership on 0800 890 6026 or visit www.heepgrant.org
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Weather for Tring
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -7 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
