How to protect your home during winter

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5 December 2025

Protect your home this winter and you’ll be warm and comfortable during the coldest part of the year. This will not only help prevent damage from harsh weather but also lower your energy bills and prioritise your health and safety.

Follow our tips and avoid unexpected expenses at a time when everyone is trying hard to save money.

EASY AS HACK

Protect your home against the main winter risks:

Frozen pipes
Storm damage
Burglary
Fire hazards
Damp and mould
Energy inefficiency
Lack of accessibility

AT A GLANCE

Save energy when costs are high. Home energy prices in the UK rose by 2.6% in real terms in April-June 2025 compared to the same quarter in 2024, driven mainly by gas prices rising by 7.8%.¹

Preventing frozen PIPES

You can always expect a couple of icy spells each year, and those can damage your pipes. Here’s how to prepare:

If you’re going away, try setting your radiators to ‘frost protection’ mode, or if you have a smart thermostat, switch it to anti-frost mode to help prevent the pipes from freezing.
Consider lagging the outside pipes and those in your loft to prevent them from freezing and bursting when the temperature drops. Lagging just means wrapping foam tubes around your water pipes. It’s affordable, and you can give it a try yourself.
Make sure you know where the stop tap is and check that it works, in case you need to shut off the water supply.
Keep your heating on low if you’ll be away for a while.

See our guide on reducing the risks of frozen or burst pipes.

AVOIDING STORM DAMAGE

When winter rolls around, you’re more likely to see high winds, storms, and occasionally snow, all of which can negatively affect your home. You may want to take a few steps to help prevent damage.

Find out whether a storm is due by checking the Met Office weather forecast.²
You can also sign up for flood alerts from the Environment Agency if your home is at risk of flooding.³
Take a look at your roof for any missing tiles, and don’t forget to check the felt on your sheds and garages. It might be a good idea to call in a professional instead of trying to inspect those high roofs yourself.
Keep your gutters, gullies and drains, including downpipes, clear of leaves.
Prepare for high winter winds by taking steps, such as securing loose objects and keeping trees pruned (you may need to check with your local authority to ensure they aren’t subject to a Preservation Order).

Learn more about how to get your home ready to weather the storm.

KEEP BURGLARS AT BAY

The long winter nights may provide extra cover for burglars. Here’s how you can make your home less of an easy target without spending much or anything at all:

Lock your windows and doors.
Don’t leave spare home or car keys in view from outside, or near windows or letterboxes (burglars are aware of every hiding place, including false stones)
Store garden tools, which burglars could otherwise use to break a window and gain entry. Find out how to keep your shed secure.
Ask a neighbour to park a car in your driveway if you’re going away, to give the impression you’re at home.
Put up a cheap ‘beware of the dog’ sign whether or not you have a dog.
Join the Neighbourhood Watch⁴ for safety tips and learn about any community issues on Crimestoppers.⁵

For long-term prevention all year, consider installing smart security devices, such as video doorbells and motion sensors.

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MINIMISE FIRE HAZARDS

During winter, things such as open fires, lit candles and fireworks can make house fires more likely. Follow these tips to help keep the risk as low as possible:

Install a working smoke detector and a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, as both are essential for safety. Remember to test them monthly.
Don’t leave candles unattended, especially in a draughty spot or somewhere they could get knocked over.
It’s a good idea to have a guard in front of an open fire if you’re stepping out of the room.
Buy a couple of fire extinguishers – keep them handy and know how to use them.
Don’t fill a chip pan more than one-third full of fat or oil.
Always switch off electric blankets before getting into bed and make sure they carry a safety mark.

Read our guide about other steps you can take to help prevent a house fire.

By developing good habits and learning how to keep your home safe, you can enjoy a more relaxed and safe winter.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND COST OF LIVING

UK energy prices have gone up and down a lot in the past five years, so many people wait until the last minute to turn on the heating. In 2023-24, approximately 3.2 million households in England struggled to keep warm during the winter.⁶

As well as preventing frozen pipes, follow these practical energy-saving tips to help keep your home warm in winter:

Bleed your radiators
Add insulation
Use thermal curtains
Install radiator reflectors
Service your boiler

Discover many other ways to make your home more energy efficient.

HEALTH AND DAMP PREVENTION

According to the latest government figures, 1.3 million households in England were living in damp homes, and more than 600,000 of those households had at least one member with a health condition⁶.

Damp produces mould that can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks. “They can also produce irritants and sometimes toxic substances,” according to the NHS.⁷

Tips for avoiding damp and mould in winter:

Ventilate your rooms daily
Use dehumidifiers
Dry your clothes in a well-ventilated area
Use extractor fans when cooking

Here are more tips on tackling damp, mould and condensation in your home.

ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION

UK health guidance recognises that homes without accessibility features are often less protected in winter. The elderly, disabled, and those with physical or learning disabilities or long-term illness are especially vulnerable to health problems associated with cold homes.⁸

The government recommends heating key rooms, such as the lounge and bedroom, to at least 18°C, and seeking financial support through grants and support for those on low incomes.⁹

Using non-slip mats, grab rails, and motion-sensor lighting can help to prevent falls indoors and outdoors during winter. If you have a vulnerable neighbour, ask if you can clear their path and steps of ice and snow in the winter months.

Staying connected and ensuring they dress warmly and heat their homes adequately is also a way to reduce loneliness.

Check the Citizens Advice and Age UK websites for information on the available grants and extra payments, such as the Cold Weather Payment.

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