It is important to note that babies do not require hot rooms at night. An ideal room temperature for babies is between 16-20C (61-68F) to prevent overheating, which is a potential cause of sudden infant death syndrome. It is recommended to dress your baby in a sleepsuit and either a sleeping bag or a sheet and/or blanket. If using a sleeping bag and your baby feels cold, add an extra layer of clothing instead of additional blankets. For sheets and/or blankets, lightweight cellular blankets are advised, while thick, fleecy, or padded blankets should be avoided. Remember to remove hats indoors and keep your baby’s head warm when going outside by using mittens or gloves to prevent heat loss. In the car, for safety reasons, minimize thick jumpers and coats to ensure there is not too much padding between your child and the car seat straps. You can lay a blanket on top of them once they are securely strapped in, but remove any extra layers when you return indoors.
An unheated room can affect your body by causing discomfort and potentially leading to health issues. It is important to check weather warnings in the UK and take necessary precautions to stay warm during cold weather. To keep your pet safe and warm, provide extra blankets for their beds, ensure raised beds for older dogs to avoid draughts, and offer indoor playtime to keep them active. Consider keeping cats inside overnight with access to an indoor litter tray. For outside pets like rabbits and guinea pigs, provide extra bedding for warmth and shelter them in a more protected space or bring them indoors if possible. Ensure they have enough indoor space to exercise safely.
When walking your dog in cold weather, most dogs have fur that keeps them warm, but consider purchasing a winter coat or jumper for sick, elderly, or dogs with thin fur. Check their paws after being in snow and ice to prevent damage from cold temperatures, grit, and salt. To dry clothes more economically in winter, avoid drying them on radiators to prevent causing dampness in the home. Consider using a dehumidifier with laundry settings to extract moisture from the air and run it next to wet clothes on a drying rack, which is typically more cost-effective than heating a room.
To de-ice your car in freezing temperatures, avoid using boiling water from a kettle as it can crack the glass and cause refreezing. Instead, start the engine, direct warm air to the windscreen, turn on the rear windscreen heater, and use air-con to prevent window fogging. Clear snow with a soft brush and use a scraper and liquid de-icer to remove ice effectively.
Driving in snow and icy weather can be hazardous. How can you safely utilize plug-in heaters and electric blankets? Many individuals opt for portable heaters instead of turning on the central heating, but they can present a significant fire risk if not used with caution. Firefighters and safety managers from the Electrical Safety First charity emphasize the importance of placing your heater on a flat surface to prevent it from toppling over. It should be positioned at least 3ft (1m) away from any flammable materials. Avoid allowing curtains, clothes, blankets, duvets, or armchairs to come into contact with the heater.
Furthermore, refrain from using your heater to dry laundry, leaving it unattended for extended periods, or running it overnight. Experts advise against plugging heaters into extension leads as this could potentially lead to a fire. Overusing electric blankets or heated throws can also pose risks, so make use of the timer function. Do not use an electric blanket if any heating wires are visible, if there is damage to the power cord or control unit, or if it emits any unusual odors when turned on.
Using gas heaters also carries the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, underscoring the necessity of having a functioning carbon monoxide alarm in the same room. Understanding how the energy price cap operates, who qualifies for cold weather payments, strategies for staying warm on a tight budget, and tips for preventing winter infections are crucial during this season.
Common illnesses like flu and other cold-related ailments tend to surge during colder months. Instances of norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, typically increase, while Covid remains a prevalent concern. As individuals tend to spend more time indoors when temperatures drop, the likelihood of contracting an infection rises. Coughs and sneezes in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation can facilitate the rapid spread of illnesses among individuals. Following good hygiene practices, such as using and disposing of a tissue for coughs and sneezes and frequent handwashing, can aid in preventing the transmission of illnesses.
Determining who is eligible for an NHS Covid jab in the autumn and understanding the necessary steps to take if one contracts Covid are essential components of staying informed and prepared. Accessing accurate weather forecasts tailored to your location, complete with hourly breakdowns and a 14-day outlook, can be achieved by downloading the BBC Weather app, available on Apple, Android, and Amazon platforms. Please note that the BBC Weather app is exclusively downloadable within the UK.
