Your health in winter: 9 tips for the whole household

Winter is the season of colds and flu, and also of accidents with heaters and gas water heaters. A few simple habits protect the whole household.

1. Wash your hands often

The easiest and most effective protection against respiratory infections. Soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before eating and after coming home.

2. Air your home, even for a few minutes

Rooms that stay closed all the time help infections spread. Open the window a little every day, even when it's cold.

3. Be careful with heaters and gas water heaters

• Don't sleep with a gas or charcoal heater on in a closed room.
• A gas water heater must be in a ventilated place, not inside a closed bathroom.
• Headache, dizziness and unusual drowsiness in a room with a heater can be signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: open the windows, go outside immediately and call an ambulance on 123.

4. Drink water even if you're not thirsty

You feel less thirsty in the cold, but your body still needs fluids. Soup and warm drinks count.

5. Morning sun and vitamin D

Days are shorter in winter. A quarter of an hour of morning sun makes a difference, and if you're low on vitamin D, ask your doctor about the right supplement and the pharmacist will tell you how to take it.

6. Your monthly medicines ready

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or a heart condition, don't wait until your medicine runs out. Cold weather can affect blood pressure in some people, so check it regularly. Before taking any cold remedy, tell the pharmacist about your long-term medicines, because some cold remedies can raise blood pressure.

7. Children

• Dress children in light layers instead of one heavy layer, and don't overheat them to the point of sweating.
• Don't give cough and cold medicines to young children without advice.
• A fever in a baby under 3 months needs a doctor straight away.

8. Older people

They are more prone to flu complications, dehydration and falls on slippery floors. Check on them regularly, and keep the pharmacy's and doctor's numbers where they can see them.

9. Enough sleep and a balanced diet

Vegetables, fruit, protein and good sleep support your immunity more than any miracle product.