Power firm advises parents children should 'wear hat in bed to keep warm'

 

Last updated at 10:48am on 7th November 2006

Npower: Said parents should keep their children 'snug as a bug' by wearing a hat and socks on cold nights

 

 

 

Children should keep warm in bed with woolly hats and hot water bottles, according to Britain's largest energy supplier.

Npower - which has raised its prices three times this year for domestic customers - published the advice, which critics described as patronising.

It said parents should keep their children "snug as a bug" by "getting them to wear socks and a hat during the coldest nights, and taking a hot-water bottle or microwaveable rice cloth bag to bed".

The company also suggested using sleeping bags and avoiding prolonged periods of watching TV.

Its guidance to parents is reminiscent of former junior Tory health minister Edwina Currie, who suggested that freezing pensioners threatened by hypothermia because they could not afford heating should "wrap up warm" in woolly hats and long johns.

Sarah Miller, of Citizens Advice, said: "There should be better and more permanent ways of addressing the issue of spiralling energy prices.

"We are already seeing people struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills but we expect that this will grow massively over winter."

Nick McHugh of npower said the suggestions were meant to be helpful.

perfectly good advice. they used to wear nightcaps in the dark ages!!

 

although the socks and water bottle are a rocking idea. can't beat a thick pair of Totes and a boiling hot water bottle in bed.

perfectly good advice. they used to wear nightcaps in the dark ages!! although the socks and water bottle are a rocking idea. can't beat a thick pair of Totes and a boiling hot water bottle in bed.

So you fell for it? They've lured you away from the shocking truth of energy prices and led you to believe everything is ok when it's not! It's not up to them to teach kids what to wear in bed, it's up to them to supply affordable energy at a competetive price. Socks and long johns aren't going to stop the pipes from freezing :rolleyes:

So you fell for it? They've lured you away from the shocking truth of energy prices and led you to believe everything is ok when it's not! It's not up to them to teach kids what to wear in bed' date=' it's up to them to supply affordable energy at a competetive price. Socks and long johns aren't going to stop the pipes from freezing :rolleyes:[/quote']

 

Well you two needn't worry, anyway - you've got each other for warmth!!:P

So you fell for it? They've lured you away from the shocking truth of energy prices and led you to believe everything is ok when it's not! It's not up to them to teach kids what to wear in bed' date=' it's up to them to supply affordable energy at a competetive price. Socks and long johns aren't going to stop the pipes from freezing :rolleyes:[/quote']

 

 

erm no, I didn't fall for it. I still stand by the easiest way to warm up is to put the frigging heating on. then you don't wake up in the morning shivering coz your hot water bottle has gone cold!!

 

but socks & bottles are a very cozy way of going to sleep.

Well you two needn't worry' date=' anyway - you've got [i']each other [/i]for warmth!!:P

 

 

try telling that to Ian!!! I have crap circulation in my hands & feet, so I'm not the best person to get into bed with, unless you're partial to blocks of ice sidling up next to you!!!!

try telling that to Ian!!! I have crap circulation in my hands & feet' date=' so I'm not the best person to get into bed with, unless you're partial to blocks of ice sidling up next to you!!!![/quote']

 

Care to comment, Mr. B??:rolleyes:

I belong in the freezer. Women are lizards. I think that pretty much covers it.

I belong in the freezer. Women are lizards. I think that pretty much covers it.