Staying warm in your house

Over the last few years, many Council homes have been modernised to ensure they are well-insulated and warm. This includes installing double-glazed windows and doors through the Decent Homes programme and cavity wall structures to those homes without them.

However, if your heating fails in cold weather, it is important to know how to stay warm until your engineer arrives. Below, we provide some useful advice on how to do this.

If you would generally like more information on how to keep warm in winter, you can also check out the information at DirectGov.

Layering

You might think this is an obvious one, but many people don't realise that the best way to keep warm is by wearing lots of thin layers of clothing, rather than just one bulky item. Slippers and socks indoors are another good way of keeping you warmer, and it's also a good idea to wear a hat or headscarf, as lots of heat is lost through the head

Eat and drink right

Your body needs food to keep itself warm so what you eat can make a real difference. Try to eat a balanced diet, with hot dinners and don't forget that hot drinks can help too.

Light exercise

A bit of light exercise, such as house work, does wonders to get the blood flowing and keep you warm. Vacuuming will keep you moving and help to keep you warm.

Sitting for long periods of time makes you colder so you could try spacing activities out through the day, so that you can alternate between rest and activity.

Keep warm at night

Many people forget the importance of keeping wrapped up and warm at night. Wear bedclothes and socks. You could also use a hot water bottle, or an electric blanket - though not together of course.

Close the windows

Cold air on the head at night has been proven to increase blood pressure so make sure that, even if you like fresh air in the house, you keep bedroom windows closed - especially at night. Eliminate draughts by putting a blanket against doors to prevent heat loss. Close the curtains or blinds.

Last update: 14/06/2011