JUMBO OATS

You’ll save money and boost your health if you walk past the boxes of instant oats and quick-fix porridge sachets in the cereal aisle of the supermarket. Instead, pick up old-fashioned jumbo (or “steel cut”) oats for your breakfast. In this more natural form, oats contain more of the soluble fibre beta glucan, which forms a gel in the gut that helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol. The longer they take to cook, the better they are for you.

BED bug infestations are a widespread problem. They’ve made headlines in recent months, with reports of people being affected by bed bugs while on holiday and bringing them home.

“The classic signs are red, irritating bites, typically in rows on your neck, shoulders, back, legs or arms, but bites alone, without further evidence, do not necessarily mean you have an infestation,” Natalie Bungay from the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) says.

She recommends examining the bed frame, upholstery and the bottom side of the mattress.

“Look for small reddish-brown clusters or dark faecal spots (about one millimetre wide) that look like an ink dot, small blood smears on the bed linen or headboard.”

The most obvious sign is seeing the small brown insects in and around your bed frame or sleeping area.

“Adult bed bugs are wingless, six-legged, oval and flattened like a small brownish-red disc, about four to six millimetres in length,” Natalie adds. “It’s not always obvious where they’ve come from, but they can be introduced to your property after attaching themselves to luggage, bags, clothes, second-hand furniture and laptops.

“There’s no need to be anxious about asking for help, and the sooner you do it, the easier it is to treat,” she explains.

“If you develop an itchy rash or eczema, consult your pharmacist for advice. For swelling, apply a cold compress or ice pack to the affected