Homeowners warned they have just hours left to check their lofts as snow looms

Homeowners are being urged to check lofts because temperatures are falling fast - and a large swathe of the UK has been issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice on Monday and Tuesday. Before then, we should - if possible - ensure our homes are sufficiently heated and insulated. The Met Office says that it's important to keep your home warm to avoid health problems.

On its website, the national weather forecaster says: "The cold thickens blood and increases blood pressure, and breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections. So it’s all the more important to ensure your home and the homes of people you look out for are the right temperature." The Met Office recommends keeping homes heated to at least 18 °C.



This is particularly important for people with reduced mobility, who are 65 or over, or who have a health condition such as heart or lung disease. Making sure our homes are efficiently insulated can help achieve this optimal temperature. One of the best ways to do this is with loft insulation.

The Met Office says: "Make sure that your loft has at least 10-11 inches (270 mm) of insulation. Any home with 4 inches (100 mm) or less should have it topped up." In addition, the Met Office suggests the following: Fit draught proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors.

Make sure that your loft has at least 10-11 inches (270 mm) of insulation. Any home with 4 inches (100 mm) or less should have it topped up. If you have wall cavities, make sure that they are insulated too.

Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes. Draw your curtains at dusk to help keep the heat generated inside your rooms. Make sure that your radiators are not obstructed by curtains or furniture.

The weather forecasters also offer the following energy-saving tips: Set your heating to come on just before you get up and switch off after you've gone to bed. If it's very cold, set your heating to come on earlier and turn off later rather than turning the thermostat up. If you can't heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room throughout the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed.

Remember to close curtains and shut doors to keep heat in the rooms you use most. Consider adding draft excluders to maximise the heat in the house and minimise drafts and cold getting in. If your heating system uses storage heaters, make sure that are set up in the most efficient way possible.

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