Helping You Keep Warm This Winter

As things start to get colder, we've all been battening down the hatches against the cold, wind and rain. We thought that it would be nice to let you in on some of the hints that our experts have given us to help keep you and your loved ones warm...

1. 40% of all heat lost is lost through the head, so a wooly hat is a good idea - earmuffs are a good fashion statement too!
2. Wearing a high collar instead of a scarf is a good idea; your body's thermometer is in the back of your neck and so it makes sense to ensure that it has accurate information about the outside weather. Wearing a scarf, would trick your 'thermometer' into believing things were warmer, you may feel more comfortable however your body would have to work harder because of the colder temperatures.
3. Wearing many layers is worthwhile, the colours you wear is also important - make sure you have the darkest colours closest to your skin and the lightest ones furthest from your skin. The best example is the Polar Bear, who's skin is pitch black and who's fur is actually like 'glass tents' - which reflects heat and light much better than white fur would...
4. Avoid drinking hot drinks, they will make your core temperature rise and will make you try to lose more heat! If you just hold onto a nice warm cup then your body will not be tricked into over-reacting to the heat.
5. Close your curtains as soon as dusk arrives, this will help keep in any heat generated during the day.
6. Move your heaters closer to windows and doors. Creating a 'wall of rising heat' is the most effective insulation against drafts and cold. However, be careful not to place your heater too close to materials, creating a fire risk.
7. Check your insulation and those of your family, there are large grants (over £2000) for elderly or disabled people's houses, available from your local council - so it might be worth checking with them, and self-install insulation is pretty cheap too - so make sure you have your 23cm depth of insulation up in the loft

Keep warm this winter and have a Merry Christmas!

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