Expert shares 10 tips to help families keep warm this half-term break

Ben Clarke, a heating expert from Trade Radiators, has shared some top tips for parents to help their families stay warm and comfortable this half-term, all while saving as much as possible on energy bills. They are as follows:

1. Only heat the room you’re using. This is vital when it comes to energy saving. Warm your main living room during the day for a few hours, encouraging children to play in there instead of their rooms.

2. Ensure all internal doors are closed. Open doors encourage the loss of warm air, so making sure internal doors are closed (especially when the heating is on) is vital in keeping rooms warm, as well as ensuring your heating isn't too high and therefore wasting money.

3. Heat bedrooms just before bed, instead of all day. This will help keep bedrooms warm right before bed, making getting to sleep easy and comfortable. Encourage children to play in the living room instead of their bedrooms during the day.

4. Close curtains to prevent heat loss and prevent cold air coming through windows. Close curtains and blinds in unused rooms during the day, helping to prevent any warm air from escaping and any cold air from getting in.

5. Wear several layers. It’s important not to underestimate the powers of layering up on clothing. Make sure your children opt for comfortable, thick pieces that they’re happy to sit in all day.

6. Utilise holiday clubs. If your children’s school, a local church, a local leisure centre or a local community centre is putting on a holiday club for children, utilise these as much as you can. Club together with other parents to encourage your children to go with their friends as a fun activity. This takes hours of worry out of your day by providing children with a warm place to go.

7. Utilise local ‘warm hubs’. Many local venues and centres are opening during the holidays as ‘warm hubs’, offering a free place to go that’s warm and heated. Make the most of these and turn it into an exciting day out for your children. Encourage other parents to bring their children too so that the kids can hang out with their friends and you can get to know other parents.

8. Take your children on days out to local amenities such as swimming pools, libraries and museums. Not only does this mean you don’t have to rely on your home’s heating for warmth for a few hours, but these activities are fun and you will be creating long-lasting memories with your children.

9. Encourage more ‘duvet days’. Bring all duvets and blankets downstairs and snuggle up on the couch to have a fun ‘duvet day’. Not only does this keep everyone warm, but will be a nice treat for the children to enjoy.

10. Put a fun spin on warming methods, such as introducing hot milk or hot chocolate before bed. Activities like this are fun for children and will help keep them warm before bed. You could also introduce drinking a warm drink in the morning, helping children start the day warm

On the importance of staying warm and the difficulties parents face during half-term, Ben said:

“School holidays are concerning times for parents right now, as many are worried about how they’re going to keep their children warm whilst they’re off school. This is sadly all too common at the moment, as the cost of living continues to rise to levels that make putting the heating on for extended periods of time often impossible”, he explained.

Luckily, the above tips are here to help as much as they can, all while ensuring that children enjoy