Heat
Cold is a slow emergency. Shrink the space you need to keep warm.
Cheapest first
- Pick one room, ideally small and south-facing. Everyone lives there.
- Close doors, block draughts, hang blankets over windows at night.
- Layers, hats and sleeping bags. Warm the person, not the house.
- Hot drinks and hot water bottles work wonders.
Backup heating
- Only use heaters made for indoor use, with ventilation as the maker says.
- Never heat a room with an oven, a barbecue or a camping stove.
- A carbon monoxide alarm is part of the heater, not an extra.
The house
- Let taps drip in a hard frost so pipes do not freeze.
- Know where the main water valve is in case one bursts anyway.
Know the signs
- Shivering, confusion, slurred speech and drowsiness mean hypothermia. Warm the person and call for help.
- Babies and older people get cold fastest and say least.
More from official sources
Updated 9 October 2026.