Latest news with #AndyPattison
Wales Online
28-04-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Warning over energy bills hack which risks burning your home down as you sleep
Warning over energy bills hack which risks burning your home down as you sleep Experts have warned that advice to help you save money on energy bills could actually pose a significant fire risk to your home People may need to rethink their energy saving measures (Image: Getty Images ) Families have been advised against using certain household appliances at night as this could increase the risk of fires. According to experts at BOXT, these common appliances can be hazardous when left unattended due to their powerful motors, high wattage, and heat output. Some households might consider using energy tariffs that offer lower rates during off-peak hours. This means some people prefer to use appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers overnight. However, for appliances with significant power consumption, the likelihood of malfunctions occurring while the household is asleep rises. To minimise risks, it's recommended that such appliances are used only when someone is present to handle any emergencies that might occur. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Article continues below Andy Pattison, an energy expert at BOXT, suggests that families could explore using home batteries as an alternative to off-peak tariffs. He said: "Lots of people are stuck in this dilemma where they want to use their cheaper overnight tariff but don't want to take the fire risk of running appliances while they sleep. "But what many don't realise is that a home battery could be the missing piece of the puzzle - letting you bank that cheap electricity overnight and use it safely during the day instead.", reports the Mirror. Home batteries are devices that can be charged from the grid and store energy for later use. Those on off-peak tariffs can take advantage of lower rates by charging their batteries during cheaper periods and then using that stored energy to power their appliances during the day. However, recent research from BOXT has revealed that 61% of Brits are unaware of what a home battery is. Home batteries have the capacity to store anywhere between 5kWh and 15kWh of electricity, depending on the model chosen. A washing machine typically utilises between 1kW and 2.5kW of power, based on its size, efficiency, and cycle settings. On average, it consumes around 2.1kWh per hour. This implies that a 10kWh home battery could operate between five and ten wash cycles, contingent on the machine's efficiency and the selected settings. Andy commented: "If you're using the grid to power a home battery, a typical UK household would need a system with a capacity between 5kWh and 10kWh, as you only need enough storage to supplement your grid electricity during peak usage times, not fully power your home off-grid. "Larger homes may however require a battery with a capacity closer to 15kWh. It's worth considering a scalable system, allowing you to easily add more batteries as your energy needs grow." The cost of a standalone 5kWh home battery might be around £5,000, while a 10kWh standalone battery could be approximately £7,000. The price ultimately depends on the model and its energy storage capacity. You have the option to purchase a standalone battery that connects to the grid, or one that connects to solar panels. Bear in mind that installation costs will also apply. Andy emphasised the importance of expertise and consumer protection when choosing an installer for home energy systems: "It's important to use an installer with years of experience in both home battery systems and solar installations. Also, look for companies that are signed up to the Home Insulation and Energy Systems Consumer Code, which enforces high consumer protection standards, ensuring quality and safety from start to finish." Article continues below
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Warning over household appliances that could catch fire while you're asleep
Some families may want to take advantage of energy tariffs that pay cheaper rates during off-peak hours, but your appliances could be at risk of catching fire Households have been warned not to leave appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers running overnight. These common white goods pose a significant fire risk when left unattended, according to boiler experts at BOXT. Some families may want to take advantage of energy tariffs that pay cheaper rates during off-peak hours, but if your appliance has a powerful motor, high wattage, and heat, it can heighten the risk of faults occurring while you're asleep. To protect your household, it's crucial to use such appliances only when you're awake, so you can respond if any emergencies occur. Energy expert Andy Pattison at BOXT has suggested households could consider using a home battery as an alternative solution to off-peak tariffs. He said: "Lots of people are stuck in this dilemma where they want to use their cheaper overnight tariff but don't want to take the fire risk of running appliances while they sleep. "But what many don't realise is that a home battery could be the missing piece of the puzzle - letting you bank that cheap electricity overnight and use it safely during the day instead." A home battery is a device that you charge directly from the grid and then it stores the energy, so you can use it when you need it. If you're on an off-peak tariff, you can charge the battery while electricity is at its cheapest, and then use that energy to run your appliances in the day. But new research from BOXT has found that 61% of Brits have no idea what a home battery is. Home batteries can store anywhere from 5kWh to 15kWh of electricity, depending on the model you choose. A washing machine typically uses between 1kW and 2.5kW of power, depending on its size, efficiency, and cycle settings. On average, it consumes around 2.1kWh per hour. That means a 10kWh home battery could run between five and ten wash cycles, depending on the machine's efficiency and the chosen settings. Andy said: "If you're using the grid to power a home battery, a typical UK household would need a system with a capacity between 5kWh and 10kWh, as you only need enough storage to supplement your grid electricity during peak usage times, not fully power your home off-grid. "Larger homes may however require a battery with a capacity closer to 15kWh. It's worth considering a scalable system, allowing you to easily add more batteries as your energy needs grow." A 5kWh standalone home battery might cost around £5,000, while a 10kWh standalone battery could be around £7,000. It all depends on the model and how much energy it can store. You can buy a standalone battery that connects to the grid, or one that connects to solar panels. Keep in mind you will also have to pay for someone to install it. Andy said: "It's important to use an installer with years of experience in both home battery systems and solar installations. Also, look for companies that are signed up to the Home Insulation & Energy Systems Consumer Code, which enforces high consumer protection standards, ensuring quality and safety from start to finish."
Forbes
13-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
How video games are reshaping global health: ADHD, mental health
Children playing games on mobile phones, France. (Photo by: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty ... More Images) Research and expert insights illustrate how gamified health tools are creating behavior change in public health worldwide. Can a video game ease anxiety, build focus, or support a child with ADHD? As healthcare challenges surge globally — especially among youth — innovators are turning to an unlikely tool: video games. Now one of the world's largest entertainment industries, the global gaming market is projected to surpass $522 billion by the end of 2025, according to Statista. A new wave of purpose-driven games has emerged to promote emotional well-being, treat attention disorders, and teach life-saving health behaviors. A landmark NIH study found mental health video games improved 69% of psychological therapy outcomes — a breakthrough that's shifting perceptions of what games can do. From ADHD awareness games backed by top psychologists to vaccine education games supported by WHO, these aren't just games — they're evidence-based digital health tools reshaping public health communication. My new video interview with WHO's Andy Pattison supports this thesis. From Play to Purpose: How ADHD Awareness Games and Gamified Health Tools Drive Global Behavior Change According to Psyon Games CEO Olli Rundgren, 'The combined impact of gamified health interventions could result in a 10–30X increase in efficiency compared to traditional awareness methods, through enhanced engagement, improved knowledge retention, improved longevity and stronger behavioral outcomes.' One standout example is FULL ADHD, a purpose-driven awareness game developed by Psyon Games in partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals. In Finland, the game saw user engagement average 17 minutes per session — nearly 8 times longer than typical health website visits. The game also achieved 82% lower cost-per-install than industry benchmarks, with 88% of players reporting a changed perception of ADHD. Psyon is also finalizing a feasibility study for an HPV awareness game backed by the Gates Foundation in Africa - — part of a growing wave of purpose-driven games reshaping global health communication. Breaking the Stigma and Building Empathy Stephen V. Faraone, PhD, Distinguished Professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University, believes that digital ADHD awareness tools can play a pivotal role in public education. 'We live in a world where many people do not understand mental disorders, especially those that affect children. That leads to stigma, bullying and being ostracized,' he says. He views ADHD awareness games as scalable tools to improve empathy and tolerance, especially in regions where diagnosis and understanding are limited. Games' immersive storytelling offers more than awareness — they create emotional resonance and foster behavior change. Faraone emphasizes that campaigns rooted in storytelling may shift public perception more effectively than traditional formats. The Design Secret: Aligning Motivation and Context According to Andreas Lieberoth, PhD, Associate Professor at the Danish Institute of Education, mental health video games are most effective when timed with user motivation. 'The best health games don't just entertain — they scaffold behavior change,' he says. 'They work well when they activate and enhance situations where people already want help or need a nudge to start.' He emphasizes good design over gimmicks: short-term appeal through gamelike aesthetics can spark interest, but long-term engagement requires alignment with the user's needs and context. Mobile games excel during 'digital snacking' moments, but only if they deliver timely, realistic challenges and feedback. Lieberoth advocates embedding gamification in education platforms, therapy tools, or work utilities as cognitive support. 'Gamification works best when it supports systems people already use.' Why Games Work: From Passive Learning to Active Transformation Rachel Mutuku, Global Director at Girl Effect, has seen purpose-driven games transform health engagement across India, Kenya, and Tanzania. 'Instead of being told what to do, girls made choices, faced outcomes, and learned through doing,' she says. In India, their Go Nisha Go mobile game let players step into the life of a 19-year-old navigating reproductive health, building empathy through role-play. Gamification in education also enabled sustained engagement. In the past year, over 100,000 youth interacted with Girl Effect's chatbots and IVR-based choose-your-adventure games. A partnership with Wysa introduced AI-powered health chatbots into Girl Effect's tools, offering anxiety relief and well-being support. Mutuku says games break taboos in conservative regions, support personalization at scale, and enable continuous learning. In areas where traditional healthcare is inaccessible or mistrusted, health games for youth are transformative. Siff Malue Nielsen at WHO Europe backs this with data. In a study of more than a thousand students, those who played WHO's Immune Patrol game outperformed peers taught through traditional methods. The gamified modules used narrative-driven sandbox challenges to teach immunization concepts and promote vaccine confidence. 'Students recognized the importance of learning about immunization,' Nielsen says. 'And teachers saw faster vocabulary growth and deeper understanding.' She emphasizes cultural sensitivity, noting that success varies by region. 'We must consider the when, where, and who — tailoring content to specific communities is essential to drive behavioral health engagement.' Katrine Habersaat, who leads the WHO Regional Office's Behavioral and Cultural Insights Unit, agrees that gamification can equip children with lifelong critical thinking and health literacy skills. 'Games like Immune Patrol don't just inform — they help children navigate misinformation,' she explains. Embedding such tools into school curricula can create ripple effects, even shaping caregivers' health choices. From ADHD to Global Health: The Power of Narrative and Personalization Karolien Poels, Professor of Strategic Communication at the University of Antwerp, highlights transparency and co-design as pillars of trust. 'Let students know what the game is about. Involve parents and teachers. And match the quality of commercial games kids play,' she says. Her research confirms that emotional connection through avatars and immersive storylines deepens learning. Serious games must offer high production value, she adds, especially if used outside of school. Poels recommends defining goals clearly and involving the end user throughout. 'If the game is to work long-term, it has to be fun, evidence-based, and easily accessible — with the right distribution channels.' Future Vision: Smarter Tools, Higher Impact As the space grows, experts emphasize sustainability. Lieberoth cautions against shallow gamified layers like badges or leaderboards unless supported by deep design thinking. He advocates for embedding games into trusted platforms where they act as ongoing cognitive scaffolds. Olli Rundgren agrees. 'We've shown strong impact with modest budgets,' he says, 'but there's untapped potential in deeper storytelling, better design, and more immersive experiences.' He also sees potential in combining purpose-driven games with AI-powered health chatbots. 'Imagine blending a game's emotional arc with real-time adaptive support — that's where we're headed.' Let the Games Begin Health games for youth are no longer niche experiments. They are cost-effective, emotionally engaging, and scientifically validated tools for reshaping healthcare communication. When grounded in empathy, research, and cultural awareness, they don't just raise awareness — they change lives. As Rundgren says, 'When you create something that people love to use, it doesn't just raise awareness — it drives real behavioral health engagement.'
