Practical Heating Tips for Families with Young Children
When you’ve got little ones at home, keeping the house warm takes on a different meaning. It’s not just about comfort, but about creating a safe, steady environment where children can play, sleep, and grow without feeling the chill.
Babies and toddlers, in particular, can be more sensitive to temperature changes, so it’s worth taking a few extra steps to get things right. Keep reading for simple, practical tips to keep your home warm and child-safe this winter.
Know Your Ideal Room Temperatures
Young children need a bit more warmth than adults to stay comfortable. Bedrooms should sit between 16 and 20°C, while living areas are best around 18 and 21°C. Rather than constantly checking radiators or guessing if it feels “warm enough,” a smart thermostat can help take the guesswork out of it. These are simple to use and can be a real help in keeping things steady throughout the day.
Choose Heating That’s Safe and Simple
Portable heaters might seem convenient, but they’re risky with kids around. They can tip over easily, and some get extremely hot to the touch. Safer options include wall-mounted radiators with thermostatic controls, which allow you to adjust each room separately. If you’re thinking about upgrading your heating, providers like iHeat work with trusted engineers and offer modern systems that suit busy family life.
Keep Warmth In, Cold Out
A warm home starts with keeping the heat you’ve already paid for. Draughts sneaking in through windows, doors, and floors can make rooms feel colder than they need to be. Simple things like sealing gaps, fitting thicker curtains, and using draught excluders under doors can make a big difference. These fixes are affordable and quick to do, especially useful when you’ve got young kids underfoot.
Make Use of Timers and Zones
If your boiler system allows, set up timers for different parts of your home. That way, bedrooms can warm up before bedtime and switch off overnight. It saves energy and means you’re not heating rooms when no one’s in them. Zoning the house like this makes it easier to control warmth without constantly fiddling with the controls.
Safe Radiator Covers and Clear Space
Children are curious, so radiators can become a safety risk if left exposed. Radiator covers can stop accidental contact without stopping the heat from spreading. Also, try to keep the space around radiators clear. Blocking them with furniture or toys means they won’t work as well, and you might end up turning the heat higher than necessary.
Let the Sun Lend a Hand
Even on cold days, the sun can do some of the work for you. Open the curtains during daylight hours to let natural heat in, especially in rooms that get direct sunlight. Then close them once it gets dark to trap that warmth inside. It’s a simple trick, but it works.
Think Ahead with Servicing
The last thing any parent needs is the heating going off during a cold snap. A yearly boiler service helps keep everything ticking over and gives you one less thing to worry about. Booking a service before winter hits means problems are more likely to be caught early, saving both stress and money down the line.
Always check with a qualified heating engineer before making any big changes. If you’re unsure where to begin, start by getting advice from a trusted local installer and take it from there.