Keeping Warm This Winter

Our guide to help you or a loved one brace the cold weather set across the UK

With temperatures hitting a bitter -7°C over the past week, we wanted to share a few tips to keep you or a loved one warm in these freezing temperatures.

Firstly, we recommend setting the heating to come on before getting up and switched off or too low after bedtime. It is recommended that a living room is kept at 21°C, the bedroom at 18°C and the rest of the house at least 16°C. If temperatures are very cold, like they are now, it is recommended to set the heating to come on earlier and turn off later rather than turning the thermostat up.

Hot waters bottles are good to be used as a quick solution to help a person warm up. With this is mind, electric blankets are also a great alternative. If you have an electric blanket or have a loved one who has one, please ensure that they are regularly checked to ensure they are safe. (Find an expert to check them either via the shop/manufacturer or local authority trading standards department – they often have free testing days)

Venturing out? Please ensure that you or a loved one is wearing footwear with a good grip on the sole to reduce the risk of slipping over. It is also recommended to wear a scarf around the neck to reduce the risk of a chest infection. Even if you are staying in for the day, layers of clothing such as vests or thermals are another great way of keeping warm.

To retain heat in a home, it is advised to draw the curtain just before it gets dark, in doing so it limits the flow of air between warm and cold areas of the room and therefore retains the heat for longer.

We recommended to get boilers serviced earlier in the year and to have the radiators checked, if possible. This just ensures that you or a loved one is ready for the winter ahead with no unexpected issues that could result in a home being unheated.

Lastly and most importantly we would urge you to keep in touch with your neighbours, friends, and family. These cold spouts can affect us all in different ways.

It’s great to remember the government introduced a Winter Fuel payment for those who most need it. If you were born before 26 September 1956, you could get help to pay your heating bills. It is an addition to any other cost of living payments you get with benefit or tax credits. To find out if the Winter Fuel Payment can help you, head to the government website on: Winter Fuel Payment: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you are vulnerable and finding it hard to keep warm or struggling to pay your bills, please contact the citizens advice line on 0808 223 1133 who will be able to assist you further.

We are always here to offer a help in hand if you or a loved one are finding thing challenging. Home is where the heart is, and we will work with you to keep you or a loved one comfortable, happy, and safe in your own home. To speak to our team about the services we provide please give us a call on 01243 839859.