Open your windows this winter

The government is encouraging people to open their windows and keep their homes well ventilated during the winter.

It’s because research has shown that being in a room with fresh air can reduce the risk of infection from coronavirus by over 70 per cent.

As the weather turns colder, we all tend to spend more time indoors, so experts are recommending that you open windows for short, sharp bursts of 10 to 15 minutes regularly throughout the day or leave windows open a small amount continuously. This helps to remove any infected particles lingering in the room.

They’re also advising that any household systems that use outdoor air, including kitchen or bathroom extractor fans, are used correctly and regularly as an additional method to remove infected particles.

Airing indoor spaces is particularly important if someone in your household has coronavirus as it can help prevent it spreading to other household members.

It’s also important to do if you have visitors in your home, such as a care worker or tradesperson, or other visitors like friends and family from other households when that’s permitted.

The government has produced a short film to show how coronavirus lingers in the air in spaces with no fresh air, increasing the risk of people breathing in infected particles, and how the risk can be reduced significantly by regularly ventilating enclosed areas. You can watch it here.