Homes cool quickly without heating. The NHS advises keeping your main living room warm and wearing layers.
Do this first
- Pick one room to keep warm: close doors, block draughts with towels, draw curtains at dusk.
- Wear layers, a hat indoors if needed, warm socks. Share blankets and sleeping bags (Be Ready).
- Have hot drinks and hot food if you can cook safely. Never use a camping stove, BBQ, generator or oven for heat indoors — carbon monoxide can kill.
- Emergency blankets
One per person- Budget Foil emergency blanket · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Moderate Emergency bivvy bag · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Reusable heavy-duty emergency blanket or bivvy · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Torch
One per adult. Safer than candles- Budget ASDA 9 LED Aluminium Torch (3 x AAA) · Asda page
- Moderate Rechargeable LED torch (USB) · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate High-output rechargeable torch, waterproof · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Portable gas stove
Outdoors only (carbon monoxide). Check it takes your canisters- Budget Single-burner butane cartridge stove in a carry case · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Moderate Compact camping stove with pan set · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
- Ultimate Twin-burner camping stove with grill and windshields · Search Amazon UK (Ad)
Watch for hypothermia
NHS hypothermia advice: shivering, pale skin, slurred speech, confusion, tiredness. Warm the person slowly, use blankets, give warm drinks if they are fully awake. Call 999 if you think someone has hypothermia.
Who is at higher risk
Babies, older people, and anyone with long-term illness. Keep medicines that need a cool place in mind if the house gets unusual temperatures — ask a pharmacist if unsure.
Money and support
Cold weather can raise bills. Check GOV.UK for current help with heating costs, and see our cold weather guide for pipes, driving and longer snaps.