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Did you know that a cold home can actually have a detrimental impact on your health? Aside from the uncomfortable feeling of being chilly, not cold-proofing your house might lead to one of those winters where you just can’t seem to fight off the flu.

Those who are disabled, over age 65, living on a low income and with long term health conditions are particularly susceptible to cold-related illnesses, as are young children. Here are a few clever tips from the NHS and BBC to help you keep warm this winter.

Nourish from Within

Remember that what you eat fuels your body, providing it with energy and actually keeping it warm. Focus on your diet- now more than ever it is important to get the right amount of vitamins and minerals. It will help raise your body’s natural defences and give it the best possible chance of fending off illness.

You should also try to consume hot foods and drinks whenever possible- put away those cold sandwiches and reach for the soup, the pasta and hot, comforting cups of tea. This is the literal way to keep your body warm from within

Prepare your Wardrobe for the Cold Weather

Even at home the cold drafts can get to you, and there’s nothing worse than being unprepared. Gather a good winter wardrobe with plenty of layers so you’ll be prepared for any weather.

Think thick socks, thermals, a warm hat and the plushest robe you can find. You’ll also want to make sure each member of the family has plenty of warm layers for going out.

Your Radiators

Sometimes maximising the heat put out by your radiators is as simple as clearing the space in front of them. Let the heat emanate out by moving furniture to the side. You can also put sheets of common tin foil on the wall behind your radiator to reflect heat back into the room and prevent it from escaping through the wall; this is particularly important for exterior walls.

Thicker Curtains to Keep out the Draft

Prevent drafts from entering the home with curtains with a thermal lining, or at least curtains made of a thicker fabric.  You can even make a DIY project out of lining your curtains yourself with a thick fleece, or even PVC shower curtains! They may not be the prettiest but if your house is cold you may not care.

Let the Light In

When the sun is shining, do open up your curtains. This is a good way to take advantage of this natural, free energy to help heat up (and brighten up) the home.

Focus on your Chimney

If your chimney is not in use it’s a good idea to prevent heat from escaping through it. For this there is a simple, cost effective solution: a chimney balloon. Available for around £20 they are made from a special laminate. Once inflated, a chimney balloon can help shut out any incoming cold air, and also prevent the heat from being sucked out.

Pay Attention to Mini Draughts

Give your home a thorough evaluation and see if you can do anything about mini draughts. These can often be found in and around the doors, particularly in the letter box, cat door or even keyhole. Use your common sense to see what you can do to stop warm air from flowing out- even a tiny hole can quickly halt your heating efforts.

You can even use these tips if you are selling your home! Make your property warm and inviting during viewings and you may succeed in making it feel like the right home for someone to buy. People love to be able to see that they won’t have to do much to a home to prepare it for winter. Here at Edward Giles we can also provide you with other great tips to make your home truly attractive to buyers.

Visit the NHS and BBC websites to learn more about staying warm this winter, or contact us for more information.