I’m not just referring to the weather here. Some years ago when I was very active in the local community I produced and distributed to those who might need it a leaflet about keeping warm in winter. I stopped doing this a decade ago as there no longer seemed to be the same level of concern and it could be seen as patronising - although I’d put up with being charged with this if even a few vulnerable people were helped.
How times have changed! Here we are again - and almost certainly worse - with austerity imposed on those who can least afford it, rapacious privatised fuel and energy companies and a robber baron corporate culture.
These cold-hearted graspers will make people suffer if they know they can get away with it and it leads to yet more profit for themselves. This added to the couldn’t care less government indifference and cuts such as in winter fuel payments. So much for the common good.
So if you know of an elderly or disadvantaged person who is struggling because of all this, there may be one or two tips here from the last century that might still make a bit of a difference.
Help to keep the rooms that you use warm by ensuring that doors, windows and letterboxes are closed.
Drawing the curtains earlier cuts down the warmth escaping through windows.
Well-lined curtains and draught excluders can be effective.
Hang a thick curtain over the front door. This keeps the hall warmer.
Draw the upstairs curtains too – and close the doors there as well to stop draughts from coming down the stairs.
Wear woollens as much as you can – and you can keep them on in bed if you need to! And if you can afford it, thermal underwear is very warming too.
To save heat and keep it circulating, don’t let curtains cover radiators or have furniture in front of radiators.
If your bathroom is cold, wash quickly, keeping warm is more important.
Several layers of light clothing are better than one heavy layer. They keep you warmer and are better for circulation. Make sure the top layer is waterproof if you’re going out.
If you do get wet, change to dry clothes as soon as you get home.
When it’s windy, the cold is more penetrating – so wrap up extra well.
If you can afford it, warm the bedroom for at least an hour before you go to bed.
Spare blankets will help keep you warm when you’re sleeping.
An electric blanket helps if you have one. An over-blanket that can be kept on all night is not as expensive to run.
Use hot water bottles in a cover. Make sure they’re not perished and for safety don’t use a hot water bottle as well as an electric blanket.
Have a dressing gown ready to put on as soon as you get out of bed.
Wear a woolly hat in bed. A lot of heat is lost through the top of your head. Bed socks can help too.
Your bed is a warm place that you could use in the day if you need to.
Put your bed or chair on an inside wall in your room - rather than near to a window or outside wall.
Eat as well as you can afford to. Your body is a good heater if you eat what you need. Eat more often in winter even if you have a bit less each meal.
If you don’t feel like eating, why not have a warm milk drink instead?
Have at least one hot meal a day. If you fancy a snack, consider hot soup as well if you can afford it. Baked potatoes are warming, nourishing and good value.
Stock up with soup just in case the weather turns nasty. Eggs, milk drinks, hot cereal - or the good old traditional fry-up. All these are all good for energy and warmth.
If a power cut seems possible, you could keep a flask of hot soup or Bovril ready - but don’t forget to drink it anyway – on the same day.
Don’t drink alcohol when you are cold. It might feel warming, but it makes your skin even colder.
Keep active. This can be just walking around the room, rubbing your hands together or stamping your feet. This will keep you warmer and also helps with your circulation.
Always keep one room warm. If it’s very cold, you could use that room in the day and sleep there at night.
Don’t leave heating on too long in a room you aren’t using. The cost reduction could help you to keep other rooms warmer.
If you’ve an eiderdown, put it next to the top sheet then the blanket on top to keep the warmth next to you. Fleecy under-blankets are good too.
For safety’s sake, don’t have fires or heaters close to the bed and, if you still smoke, for safety’s sake don’t do so in bed.
A screen round the back of chairs can help to keep the warmth in.
Small shelves just above radiators will deflect warm air into the room.
Kitchen foil fitted just above radiators on outside walls helps to keep the heat in. Have the shiny side facing into the room.
A foil lining on the back of any cupboards on outside walls can help too. Your loft insulation should be four inches thick.
Switch off your TV before you go to bed. Leaving the set on ‘standby’ wastes electricity.
Halls are less draughty if you fit a letterbox flap or even a keyhole cover!
Only boil as much water as you need. Now could be a good time for a nice cup of tea!
Remember the warmth that friendship brings. Keep in touch with your neighbours, friends and relatives. See someone regularly.
Don’t forget that your doctor is there to help you and don’t be afraid to use 999 if you need help quickly.
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