Newark and Sherwood District Council’s top tips on how to keep warm this winter

The energy and home support team at the district council are encouraging householders to take some practical steps to help beat the big chill.

The council said that recent price hikes of electricity and gas have made it even more important to keep your eye on the fuel you are using but at the same time it said it is vital to keep warm.

To prevent strokes and heart attacks which can be brought on from being too cold, the authority has given some top tips for keeping warm and well and keeping the fuel bills down:

*Look at your energy supplier. Can you get a better deal by changing suppliers?

*Insulate your home. Wall and loft insulation can actually save you money as 25 per cent of your homes’ heat can escape through the walls and as much as 35 per cent through the roof.

*Keep your main living room at around 18 to 21C (65-70F), and the rest of the house at least 16C (61F). If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before you go to sleep.

*Draw your curtains at dusk and keep your doors closed to avoid draughts.

*Have regular hot drinks and eat at least one hot meal a day, if possible. Eating regularly helps keep energy levels up during winter.

*Wear several light layers of warm clothes (rather than one chunky layer).

*Don’t place furniture in front of radiators and install reflective panels behind them.

*Keep as active in your home as possible.

For more information contact the team on 01636 65000 or on 0800 013 1689.