Staying warm in winter :Cross Stitch – Home and community

Keeping warm over the winter months can help prevent colds, flu or more serious health problems like pneumonia. Find out some simple things you can do to keep warm, stay healthy and make the best use of your heating at home.

If you are over 60, disabled or on a low income, you may be able to get financial help to heat your home.

For more information on schemes like cold weather payments, winter fuel payments and Warm Front, see ‘Help with heating your home’.

If you’re receiving certain benefits during very cold weather, you may qualify for a Cold Weather Payment

There are some simple tips to stay warm and safe in your home during the winter.

A warm home during the day

To keep warm at home during the day try to:

heat your main living room to around 18-21°C (64-70°F) and the rest of the house to at least 16°C (61°F)
heat all the rooms you use in the day
make sure you keep your living room warm throughout the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed
set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed

In very cold weather, set the heating to come on earlier, rather than turn the thermostat up. This means you won’t be cold while you wait for your home to heat up.

A warm home at night

To keep safe and warm at home during the night you should:

try to keep the temperature above 18°C (65°F) in your bedroom overnight
open the window or door a little at night for ventilation if you use a fire or heater in your bedroom during winter
never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off
unplug blankets before you go to bed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all-night use
get your electric blanket tested every three years for safety – Age UK or your local fire and rescue service may be able to do this for you

To be put in touch with an Age UK group near you, call Age UK’s freephone advice line on 0800 169 6565.

Insulation makes your home warm and healthy and will also help to keep your heating costs down. It’s a good idea to:

fit draught-proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors
make sure your loft has at least 10–11 inches (270 millimetres) of insulation – any home with 4 inches (100 millimetres) or less should have it topped up
make sure wall cavities are insulated
insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes

You may also be able to get financial help to insulate your home. Read the article ‘Help with heating your home’ to find out more.

You can help keep warm by:

wearing plenty of thin layers, rather than one thick one
putting on a coat, hat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes or boots when you go outside
wearing clothes made of wool, cotton or fleecy synthetic fibres
wearing bed socks and thermal underwear at night

Hypothermia is caused by getting too cold. Older people, babies and people with certain health conditions are among those more at risk.

Shivering can be used as a guide to how severe hypothermia is. If a person can stop shivering on their own, the hypothermia is mild. If they can’t stop shivering, it’s moderate to severe. Severe hypothermia needs urgent medical treatment in hospital.

See NHS choices for full details of the symptoms and causes of hypothermia.