
With the recent cold snap, it's really important to think about staying warm and comfortable through the winter season. Here are some tips to help you keep the chill away.
Instead of wearing one thick jumper, opt for several layers of clothing. Layers trap air between them, providing better insulation and allowing you to adjust your comfort level throughout the day.
Keep Your Feet Cosy

Avoid walking around barefoot. Invest in a good pair of thick socks and some comfortable slippers to keep your feet warm.
Cold strikes up from the floor and makes your whole body cold.
Socks provide insulation and enhances blood circulation.
Slippers with a good grip also prevent you from slipping and falling. They create a barrier between your feet and harsh surfaces.
Add Extra Bedding

An additional blanket or invest in an electric blanket on your bed can make a big difference in staying warm at night. An oodie is a wearable blanket that is a a mixture of a blanket made into a jumper shape much like a hoodie.
Design: An oversized hooded sweatshirt with a large kangaroo pocketÂ
Features: Made of fleecey fabric
Sizes: One size fits most
Uses: Great for movie nights, snuggling, or shutting out the worldÂ
Care: Machine washable
Hot Water Bottle or Wheat Bags

These are a great cost-effective way to keep yourself warm.
*Did you know hot water bottles have dates on them? This is because they can perish and leak which can be dangerous to you.
How to check your hot water bottle expiry date:
Most hot water bottles will have a big number printed into them inside a symbol that resembles a daisy. This number shows you the year that it was made, so for example, 19 would mean 2019, and 24 would be 2024.
It is recommended that you replace your hot water bottle every couple of years. So, if you have had yours for a while now is the time to replace it.Â
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Wheat bags
Wheat bags can bring relief and comfort to you when you use them properly, but as with any product involving heat, there is a danger of fire and a risk of injury to you if you do not use it properly.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and to ensure a wheat bag is not heated in a microwave for too long, or at too high a temperature.
Shop-bought wheat bags
Wheat bags available in shops usually contain buckwheat, which has a known moisture content. Knowing this moisture content and the volume of the wheat bag means that the manufacturer can recommend proper heating times. If you follow the recommended heating time, the bag should not overheat, cause a fire, or burn you.
Homemade wheat bags
Homemade wheat bags can have a greater risk of fire and injury because the moisture content and volume of these bags is unknown, and the proper heating time can’t be recommended. Also, the use of a type of wheat other than buckwheat may increase the risks of overheating, fires, and burns.
Adding oils to wheat bags
If you add oils to wheat bags, over time you will saturate the cover cloth and can create an added fire risk.
Overheating and fire risks
Repeated heating and drying of the wheat bag may overheat it to ignition point - let the bag cool completely before reheating.
When heating it in a microwave, place a cup or bowl of water in with the wheat bag to reduce this risk.
If the wheat bag is kept insulated after initial heating (for example, placed under bedclothes, or on a car seat in the sun), spontaneous heating can then occur and the wheat may catch fire.
Safety tips
Do:
Buy wheat bags with clear heating instructions
Place a cup or bowl of water in with the wheat bag when heating it in a microwave,
Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Buy wheat bags that include a manufacturer’s contact details in case you have a problem
Use only as a heat pack for direct application to the body
Watch for over-use – an over-cooked odour, a smell of burning, smoking, or charring
Leave to cool in a safe area and on a non-combustible surface, like a kitchen sink
Do not:
 Use wheat bags as bed warmers
Over-heat (recommended maximum is three minutes for manufactured bags)
Reheat the bag until it has completely cooled – which maybe two hours after initial heating
Leave the microwave unattended when heating a bag
Store the wheat bag until it is cold
Use the bag if you see any problems – contact the manufacturer
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Seal Draughts

Block draughty areas in your home, such as around window frames, under doors, and keyholes. Use a draught excluder,you can make your own or buy one for not much money.
Get creative: tape a piece of paper over the keyhole and seal gaps under doors to stop cold air from sneaking in. Use a thermal door curtain across your front, back and patio doors.
Curtains Matter

Keep your curtains open during the day to let in natural light and warmth from the sun. As soon as it gets dark, draw them to keep the heat inside. If your curtains are long, tuck them behind radiators to direct heat into the room rather than letting it escape behind the fabric.
Use a full-length thermal door curtain across your front, back and patio doors.
By making these small changes, you can keep your home warmer and more energy-efficient throughout the winter season. Stay cosy!
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Heating Your Home: Whole House or One Room?
Deciding whether to heat your entire home or just one room depends on your home’s insulation, layout, and heating system.
Whole House Heating
Best for well-insulated homes with modern systems. Keep consistent temperatures and use thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) for room-by-room control while ensuring background warmth.
Single Room Heating
Ideal for a large home where only one room is used. Don’t place your thermostat in the heated room to prevent disruption to the main system. Modern central heating is often more efficient than gas fires.
Storage Heaters
Use off-peak electricity but may need peak-hour boosts. For small rooms, close doors to retain heat.

Portable Heaters
Inefficient and prone to overheating rooms. Avoid LPG heaters due to ventilation and condensation issues.
Home Size & Layout
Small homes: Whole-house heating is typically more practical.
Large homes: Heating small rooms separately can be cost-effective (if less than 25% of the total area).
Open-plan layouts: Whole-house heating is more efficient.
Safety & Comfort
Keep consistent warmth for health, especially for vulnerable people. Use glass-fronted fires and service appliances regularly.
Electric vs. Gas Heating
Electric heaters are cheaper for short-term heating but less economical than gas central heating for long-term use.
Choose the most efficient method based on your specific needs for warmth and cost-effectiveness.
Healthy Eating

Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet eating at least five daily portions of fruit and vegetables supports your immune system during winter. Eating regular hot meals and drinks like porridge, soups, and stews to stay warm.
Frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables (without added salt or sugar) are as nutritious as fresh options and often more budget-friendly in winter.
To save on energy bills, try using a slow cooker, microwave, or air fryer, which are cheaper to use than oven cooking, especially if you live alone.
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Keep Active

There are lots of free exercises on YouTube that you can try. Chair yoga, tai-chi for beginners are all great, simple activities to help you, especially during the winter months.
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Or find a class near you. There are lots of classes available, especially during the day. Search your local Facebook groups - ask what is available in your area. Visit your local leisure centre to see what activities are on. Your GP may also have information about classes.
Find out what support you can get
Warm Spaces

Community Spaces made by and for everyone
What started as a crisis response to keep people warm through the winter has become a way to reconnect individuals and communities across the country all year round.

Warm Welcome Spaces are places full of human warmth, belonging, connection and hope. Thousands of lives are being helped by Warm Welcome Spaces - they are the heartbeat of local communities, buzzing with life and bringing people together.
Click the link to find a space near you. www.warmwelcome.uk/find-a-space
Financial Support

You can visit your local Citizens Advice centre for information and guidance or reach out to me for assistance in finding extra support. Contact me via email at carron@pasupport.co.uk  or through a WhatsApp video call at 07523 061304
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