We can all feel it, winter is slowly approaching in Botswana. We love to be prepared so here’s how you can keep your home and kids warm this winter. While saving bucks from the recent electricity price hike.
Mountable Panel Wall Heaters
There’s a lot to love about mountable electric wall heaters. These are slim, come in workable sizes for big or small spaces and keep the room at a comfortable temperature. Because they use panels that radiate heat in the room, this makes them silent and don’t disturb work or sleep. Once fitted on the wall, they blend in and don’t use up a lot of electricity.
The best thing is they don’t cause burns when touched, making them safe for kids of all ages. These are perfect for the dry Botswana winter as they don’t dry up the air in the room. The trick to get the best use is not to have it on the floor or close to the wall as these will absorb the heat, rather than distribute it in the room.
Insulation in Winter in Botswana
It’s said that approximately 30% of all heat loss in a room is through windows. Installing thermal or blackout curtains on windows and sliding doors will help keep the cold out. These can reduce the amount of heat transferred through glass by as much as 24%.
Depending on how airtight and thick the curtains are, they help keep the rooms where they’re installed warmer. This helps to save on electricity since you will use less energy to keep the room warm, and the room stays warmer for longer.
To get the best energy-saving experience, you want to keep cold air out as much as possible. Make sure the curtain is close to the window frame and drops to the windowsill or floor. If the room is facing the sun, keep windows open during the day to make use of the heat from the sun and close them at dusk for insulation.
These are a good investment as they can be useful all year round. Their benefits carry through to summer by absorbing the heat from the sun, helping to keep the room cool. You can find blackout curtains at Mr Price Home and other homeware stores.
Rugs
Floor mats and rugs are a great way to keep a room warm . Especially helpful for kids that don’t like to keep their shoes and socks on as they act as insulation between the cold floor and their feet. When choosing a rug, look for one with a high stitch count. A stitch count is how many loops or threads of yarn in the rug.
A higher stitch count means the rug is denser and can offer better insulation. Furniture Paradise has a range of affordable rugs to help warm up your living spaces. Cotton Cloud also offers a range of machine washable rugs for all rooms.
Bedding
For warm bedding, choose sheets made of fleece, heavier-weight cotton, or soft flannel. Here are some tips to keep kids warm through the night during winter in Botswana:
- Choose lightweight sheets and blankets. Firmly tuck them in to avoid being kicked off.
- Dress kids warm enough that even if they manage to kick off their blankets, they’ll stay warm.
- Avoid heavy bedding as these can cause your child to overheat.
Electric Blankets and Hot Water Bottles
Pop a hot water bottle under the covers before bedtime to help take the chill off. Remember not to leave it in the bed when going to sleep. Use a cover, and be careful when filling and emptying. A safer alternative to a hot water bottle is a microwave hottie which also come as cuddly toys for kids. These also come in soothing lavender scents to help with relaxation.
Electric blankets are very efficient at heating the bed. Read all safety instructions before use, and do not use if damaged. Turn it on about half an hour before bed and turn it off before the child gets in bed. Turn it off at the wall and unplug for added safety. Only use them with kids who are toilet trained to avoid accident in the night. You can find these at Clicks, Dis-Chem.
Winter Clothing
You can never go wrong with knitwear in winter. BantuKraft Inc offers an authentic sophisticated range of knit wear and accessories for newborns all the way to 7 year olds. Their prices starts from BWP300. Find them on Facebook and WhatsApp+26772185706.
Onesies are a practical way to keep warm if your child likes to take their socks off during the night. If your child is toilet training, footed pyjamas are a good alternative. To avoid legs riding up, choose pyjamas with cuffs. For colder winter nights, add a soft vest under pyjamas or use a cosy swaddle for babies. For children’s clothing and sleep wear, check out Ackermans and Pep or Woolworths.
Botswana weather is semi-arid meaning nights and mornings are cold, while afternoons are warm or hot. When dressing your child, think layers to help warm them up and cool them down. Hats are a great accessory because they trap heat when it’s cold and protect baby from too much sunlight when it’s warm.When playing outside, an extra layer or two may be needed if it’s cold. Remember to remove extra layers when it gets warmer to avoid overheating.
If your child has a cold, it’s advisable to keep the room at a comfortable, consistent temperature that’s not too hot, or too cold. Especially when they have a stuffy nose and is have trouble breathing. If our little one is burning up because of a fever, lighter, more airy fabrics could be of help. Always consult with a family doctor if you’re not sure.
How to tell if your child is warm enough
The easiest way to tell if your baby is too hot or too cold is by feeling the nape of the neck to see if it’s sweaty or cold to the touch. When babies are too warm, they may have flushed cheeks and look like they’re sweating. An overheated baby may also breathe rapidly. If baby is too cold, he may seem less active and have cold hands and feet. To check how warm your baby is, look for sweating or feel their tummy. Their tummy should feel warm but not hot.
Leave us a comment below and let us know what you’re doing, or where you have found great winter clothing.
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