Vital tips on how to beat winter chill

The nights are long and temperatures are dropping, but there are plenty of cheap and effective ways to stay warm and protect your home against the very worst the British weather can throw at it.

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With the first cold snap sweeping across the UK, experts are urging Britons to prepare their homes and gardens for winter. Acting today can prevent burst pipes, draughty rooms, costly repairs and other seasonal problems once temperatures plunge, said Stephanie Chambers, head of outdoors at DIY chain B&Q: "Simple preventative measures today can save a lot of hassle and expense later, and help keep you cosy in the cold."

Frozen water is one of the most common and expensive winter problems. When water inside a pipe freezes, it expands, causing cracks or even bursts. Chambers recommends insulating exposed pipework with foam lagging, particularly in unheated areas such as lofts, garages or attics: "Know where your stopcock is and how to turn off your water supply in an emergency."