Dealing with a cold snap

January is well and truly here. And with it comes more cold weather. The coldest months of the winter in the UK are usually between now and March - and it's certainly cold outside right now!

So, how can we make sure we keep warm and stay healthy as the mercury drops? Here are our top tips for keeping warm as temperatures plunge this winter.

• It’s easier to warm yourself up than it is to raise the room temperature. Instead of turning up the heating, add another layer of clothing.
• Layering up with several layers of thinner clothing is better than a single thick layer of clothing.
• Any exposed surface on your body will cause you to lose heat. Cover up and make sure you wear a hat when you go outside.
• Keep cosy under the covers by using an electric blanket or a hot water bottle. Never use the two together though.
• Make sure you block out any drafts. Buy draft excluders or have a go at making your own. Get a foam swimming buoyancy tube – cut it in half, cover in fabric and slide it under the door.
• Draw your curtains and blinds to keep in heat as dusk falls.
• Don’t forget to set your programmable thermostat so that your home is always toasty when you get in from work. You can even set it using your smart phone.
• It’s not the most cost-effective way of heating – but if you enjoy baking you will find that having your oven on will provide a boost to your heating.
• Get some handwarmers to put in your coat pockets when you’re out and about.

Stay warm and stay healthy this winter.