subject: Staying Healthy And Warm During Winter Chills [print this page] Colder months bring along with them drafts in homes, high heating costs, and sickness. Very often, this time of year is dreaded for these very reasons.
However, there are definitely ways that these problems can be combated. One thing that you must remember is that drafts tend to steal the heat that your system has created within your home.
The warmth is replaced by chills that enter through cracks and broken seals around windows and doors. Make sure that all of these regions are properly sealed and that air from the outside is not able to come in.
The cold can also make its way through walls, if yours are not properly insulated. A lot of older homes that were built in past decades do not have adequate insulation or it has been worn down.
If you feel like your residence may be experiencing this problem, there are things that you can do to fix it. Adding wood finishing on the walls may provide an extra cushion from chills.
Much of the problem has to do with windows and doors; therefore, you may find it helpful to make use of heavy and cold-resistant curtains that are made out of insulating materials. It will prevent any cooling from spreading too far into your rooms and home, and just might make the difference on your heating bill.
Plastic sheeting can also be placed over the entire window to prevent drafts; this option is pretty inexpensive, for those that are on a budget, and will be helpful at reducing other costs. The good thing about plastic is that, unlike drapes, it will still allow the light of day to enter into the rooms of your house.
If your problem lies with doors, there are fairly inexpensive insulation kits available at most home improvement stores. Those that have a little bit more flexibility when it comes to spending can have a winter door installed; you will find that it pays for itself after a couple of blizzard seasons.
Sealing kits and weather stripping will be especially helpful to those that feel like their doors are causing problems with the temperature of their house. You can even make some of your own by sewing fabric tubes and filling them with dried corn or beans.
Some drafts cannot be stopped, but there are other things that you can do. Try to arrange your furniture or room in a way that places you furthest away from where you may feel it.
Make sure that couches and chairs and kept far away from doors and windows. Portable heaters are another great option for increasing the temperature of areas within your house.
They come in electric or gas powered varieties and all different sizes. If you are only in need of something that can offer comfort while you are sitting in your favorite chair, then go for a smaller mechanism that will not accidentally burn carpeting.
Those that are looking to increase the temperature of an entire room may need to go for a larger, more industrial option. Using these in multiple spaces in your residence could possibly help reduce the costs that families incur for heating during frigid winter months.
Layering and bundling up is another great option; have warm blankets available on furniture where you spend the most time and be sure to make use of sweaters and robes. You can save a great deal of funds simply by wearing enough clothing to keep yourself toasty inside.
Human bodies lose most of their warmth through their feet, hands, and head, so keep these regions covered with blankets and socks. Doing so will almost definitely keep you warm when you are lounging.
A drop in body temperature can cause your immune system to weaken, making you more susceptible to illnesses and germs; this is especially true for the elderly. Therefore, it is best to keep cover yourself as much as is needed when you are outside and indoors.
Saving money, even when it is freezing outside, is not impossible; all it requires is a little innovation. The harder you work at keeping your home and body warm, the more comfortable you will be and the less likely you will experience sickness.
