Staying well in winter

Follow these tips to keep you and your family warm and well at home:

• If you're not very mobile, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease, heat your home to at least 18C.
• Keep your bedroom at 18C all night if you can – and keep bedroom window closed.
• If you're under 65, healthy and active, you can safely have your home cooler than 18C, as long as you're comfortable.
• Use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed – but do not use both at the same time.
• Have at least 1 hot meal a day – eating regularly helps keep you warm.
• Have hot drinks regularly.
• To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), babies should sleep in rooms heated to between 16C and 20C.
• Draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to block out draughts.
• Get your heating system checked regularly by a qualified professional.

Help with heating costs

You may be able to claim financial and practical help with heating your home. Grants available include the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment.

You can find out about heating and housing benefits on GOV.UK.