Top tips for keeping warm this winter

As part of the Daily Echo's drive to keep people as warm as possible this winter - without burning a hole in your pocket - we have compiled a list of our top tips to help you keep the chill at bay.

• Eat and drink hot food and beverages regularly. They provide both warmth and energy at releatively little cost.
• Wear the most appropriate clothes this winter. Wear several thin layers rather than just one thick one - and make sure you always put on an extra layer when you venture outside.
• Wrap up warm in bed. Just because you're in bed does not mean you don't have to worry about what you are wearing. Wear warm bed garments and if you can invest in a duvet with a higher tog rating.
• Make sure your home is the right temperature. Somewhere between 21C and 24C (70-75F) is just right. Any lower and you'll be too cold but any higher and you'll be wasting money.
• Insulation in your home can really help to keep the heat in as well as keeping costs down. Hang thick curtains up over doors and windows and speak to consider getting your lofts and cavities insulated or if you can afford it get doubled glazing installed.
• Close your windows. It may sound obvious but a lot of people like to have a bit of fresh air in their home but it lets cold air in, hot air out and makes the heating work even harder to try and warm your home - driving up costs.
• Shut the doors to any rooms that you don't use. The closed door makes that room another barrier between you and the cold weather outside. It also stops air from circulating as much, which reduces heat loss.
• Keep moving as much as possible. Moving and doing light exercise - even just the vacuuming - gets the blood pumping and warms the body up.
• Cuddle up to a loved one or a pet. People and animals such as dogs and cats are warm-blooded mammals so why not use each other's heat to keep the cold at bay?
• Use a hot water bottle. It doesn't have to be just for bed time. Hot water bottles are a quick, easy and cheap way of warming yourself up.
• After you've cooked your dinner, leave the oven door open to let heat escape and help warm up your home.
• Take a hot shower or bath and use oil or lotion on your skin when you get out, which can be like an extra layer of clothing.
• Ask your energy provider if they have any special rates for pensioners and check to see if you qualify for benefits to help pay for the extra heating. For a benefits check over the phone, call SeniorLine on 0808 800 6565 and for Pension Credit, contact The Pension Service on 0800 99 1234.

Back

© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/trade_directory/