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    5 Tips for Better Winter Warmth

    Stay safe, lower your heating costs, and more

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    As we get older, we become more prone to feeling really cold when the temperatures drop.

    That’s due, in large part, to a naturally slowing metabolism and a thinning layer of fat under the skin.

    more on winter home safety

    And with age, you don’t need to be out in a snowstorm to be at risk for hypothermia—it can even happen indoors if your heating system is set too low.

    Here, from John Galeotafiore, a team leader for home improvement testing at CR and one of our home care experts, are strategies for ensuring that your home feels nice and toasty this winter.

    To reveal each tip, click or hover your cursor over the dots (or tap on a mobile device) on the illustration below.

    Click on dots to learn more.

    Illustration: Chris Philpot

    For more on reducing your heating costs, see our report here. And check out a few highly rated smart thermostats from our tests:

    Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the January 2024 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.


    Catherine Roberts

    Catherine Roberts is a health and science journalist at Consumer Reports. She has been at CR since 2016, covering infectious diseases, bugs and bug sprays, consumer medical devices like hearing aids and blood pressure monitors, health privacy, and more. As a civilian, her passions include bike rides, horror films and fiction, and research rabbit holes. Follow her on Twitter @catharob.