How to keep babies warm in cold weather and other winter tips

Winter often brings the challenge of dealing with freezing weather and snow.

Here are some tips for dealing with low temperatures.

Babies and young children under five are at greater risk in cold weather.

When outdoors, the NHS advises babies and children to wear layers of clothing to stay warm, including a hat and mittens to stop heat loss.

In the car, for safety reasons, keep sweaters and thick coats to a minimum, so that there is not too much padding between your child and the car seat straps.

If necessary, you can place a blanket over your child once he or she is safely strapped in.

Remove all hats, gloves and extra layers when you come back inside.

NHS guidelines state that babies do not need warm rooms at night – a room temperature between 16 and 20°C (61 and 68°F) is ideal. Overheating is one of the potential causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Pajamas and a sleeping bag or sheet and/or blanket should be sufficient.

If you are using a sleeping bag and you feel like your baby is cold, you should add an extra layer of clothing, but not extra blankets.

If you are using sheets and/or blankets rather than a sleeping bag, you should use lightweight cellular blankets. Avoid thick, fleecy or padded blankets.

The flu arrived early this winter with a new mutated version of the virus circulating.

Cases of norovirus – the winter vomiting virus – also typically increase this time of year, and Covid is still here too.

When it’s cold outside, people tend to spend more time indoors, where it can be easier to catch an infection.

For example, coughing and sneezing in an enclosed space with little or no ventilation (windows closed, doors closed) can quickly spread illness from person to person.

Opening windows when possible and practicing good hygiene – using and then discarding a tissue for coughs and sneezes and washing your hands – can help prevent this.

Those who are eligible for the Covid winter booster vaccine can receive it until January 31, 2026. Certain groups may also benefit from a free flu vaccine.

Anyone who is not eligible for an NHS vaccine can pay to receive one or both vaccines privately at a local pharmacy.

Like humans, animals can be at risk of hypothermia if they become too cold.

Veterinary charity PDSA advises giving dogs and cats extra blankets for their beds during the winter months. Raised beds can keep older dogs away from drafts, while cats may like elevated dens.

The charity also recommends that pets spend more time playing to ensure they stay active if they spend less time outside. Indoor toys can help.

Consider keeping cats indoors at night and provide an indoor litter box.

A sudden drop in temperature can also have a significant impact on outdoor pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs. They should be given extra bedding to keep warm and, if possible, moved to a more sheltered space or even brought indoors.

But you need to make sure they have enough indoor space to exercise safely.

Dogs still need walks in cold weather. Usually their fur keeps them warm.

But the RSPCA advises buying a winter coat or sweater for sick or elderly dogs, or those with thinner fur.

Walk your dog during the day if you can, or consider using LED collars or high-visibility leashes if you must go out in the dark.

Use caution when letting dogs off-leash in the snow and monitor them closely as dangers may be hidden. Frozen water may not support their weight.

If you can, take shorter, more frequent walks rather than one long daily hike.

If your dog gets wet, be sure to towel dry him as soon as you get home and check his paws for salt, grit, dirt, or snow.

Drying clothes on radiators is a common practice in winter.

But that may involve turning on the heat in parts of the house you don’t use. It can also risk making your home damp, which can lead to mold.

One option is to use a dehumidifier, which removes water from the air. Some have laundry settings and can run for several hours next to wet clothes on a drying rack.

Many drivers waking up to freezing temperatures need to defrost their car.

But motorists are warned not to use boiling water from a kettle: hot water can crack the glass and the water will only freeze again on the screen or floor.

Instead, the AA recommends turning on the engine – making sure the wipers are off to avoid damage – and directing the hot air towards the windshield.

You should also turn on your rear windshield heater and use air conditioning if you have it to make sure your windows don’t fog up.

The next step is to clear the snow with a soft brush, before using a scraper and liquid de-icer.

Portable heaters can be an alternative to turning on your central heating, but they can pose a serious fire risk if not used carefully.

Firefighters and safety officers from the charity Electrical Safety First advise placing your radiator on a flat surface to ensure it will not fall over.

It must be at least 1 m from any flammable object. You must not allow curtains, clothes, blankets, duvets or armchairs to rest on it.

You should not use your heater to dry your laundry or leave it unattended for long periods or overnight.

Experts also warn against plugging heaters into extension cords, as this could cause a fire.

Leaving electric blankets or heated throws on for too long can also be dangerous, so use the timer function.

You should not use any electric blanket if any of the heating wires are visible, if the power cord or control unit is damaged, or if it gives off an odor when turned on.

Using gas heaters also carries a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, so you should make sure you have a working carbon monoxide alarm in the same room.