Tips of the week… how to survive cold weather

In icy conditions, try to walk like a penguin. Slow your pace, take smaller steps, bend forward slightly so that your centre of gravity is directly over your feet and walk as flat-footedly as possible.

If you start to fall, don’t stick out your arm – you’re liable to break your wrist. Try to land on your side and roll on impact.

Choose rubber-soled shoes or boots. Alternatively, “slip-proof” your shoes with ice cleats that fit over the soles. Some people simply go out with socks over their shoes.

If you haven’t got an electric blanket, you could run a hairdryer over your sheets to take the chill off (but be sure to keep it moving or you could singe them).

Block draughts. Even keyholes and letter boxes let in chilly air. Invest in a letter-box brush and keyhole covers, or simply stuff the holes and bubble-wrap the letter box. Hardware shops also sell “balloons” that stop cold air coming down chimneys.