The NHS recommends a minimum temperature of 18C to stay healthy in cold weather (Image: Getty)
The warm weather managed to cling on until the end of September but as October arrives, it’s finally starting to feel more autumnal.
Colder temperatures and wetter conditions are slowly starting to set in, which means it’s about that time when the woolly jumpers and coats come back out, and the heating is switched on. While the weather hasn’t plunged to freezing temperatures just yet, it is starting to feel cooler in the mornings and late evening, so it’s not unreasonable to switch on your heating this month. It can be tempeting to put off running the heating for as long as possible to help save on energy bills, but there is an important reason to switch it on when temperatures start to cool.
According to the NHS, your home should be heated to a minimum temperautre of 18C during winter to help you stay healthy and protect against the cold. This is especially important for people aged 65 and over, people with health conditions, and people who aren’t very mobile.
Keeping your home at a warm temperature can help to fend off nasty winter bugs, including colds, flu and Covid, as well as more serious health problems like pneumonia, heart attacks, strokes and depression.
As such, the NHS recommends setting your thermostat at a minimum of 18C to heat the rooms you use most often, such as your living room and bedroom.
Meanwhile, families with babies are advised to heat rooms between 16C and 20C while little ones sleep to minimise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
The NHS said: “Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
“Heat your home to a temperature that’s comfortable for you. If you can, this should be at least 18C in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom. This is particularly important if you have a health condition. It’s best to keep your bedroom windows closed at night.”
The health service also suggests drawing your curtains at dusk to help lock in heat, keeping doors closed to block any draughts and closing bedroom windows at night.
To ensure heat doesn’t escape, you should use draught excluders to seal any gaps around windows and doors, and make sure any radiators in your home aren’t blocked by furniture or curtains.
Other cheap and easy ways to stay warm include wearing several layers of thinner clothing, as this will keep you warmer than one thick layer, and having plenty of hot food and drinks to keep your body temperature up.
Exercise is also advised as this will not only keep you healthy, but it can help warm you up over the colder months. The NHS recommends moving around at least once every hour.
The NHS added: “Be smart and energy efficient: To ensure that heat doesn’t escape your home, fit draught proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors making sure you have loft insulation if necessary. If you have cavity walls, make sure they are insulated too.
“Don’t forget to draw curtains at dusk and to make sure your radiators are not obstructed by furniture or curtains.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
