A viral TikTok heatwave hack involving placing a bowl of ice or cold water in front of a fan to create cooler airflow could invalidate home insurance policies, experts warn. The trick, widely shared on social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and X, risks water spilling onto electrical components, leading to electric shock, appliance damage, or fire.
Insurance Risks of Viral Cooling Hacks
According to Go Compare, if damage results from 'preventable misuse', an insurer may refuse part or all of a home insurance claim. Tamzin Metcalfe, home insurance expert at Go Compare, said: 'When the weather is truly unbearably hot, it's completely understandable that people will try almost anything to cool down. But you have to use your head, be sensible, and not get taken in by viral trends.' She added that homeowners should 'never combine water with electronics' and urged safer alternatives like closing blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day.
Other Risky Trends
Consumer charity Electrical Safety First has also warned against attaching frozen towels or other wet items to electric fans, as moisture reaching the motor increases electric shock risk and can damage the appliance. Go Compare highlighted other viral trends that could cause insurance issues: leaving windows or doors open overnight, running cheap unbranded electrical coolers unattended, and covering windows with kitchen foil, which can create thermal stress and crack glass.
Safer Cooling Alternatives
With the UK experiencing temperatures between 30C and 35C, and the Met Office forecasting continued heat into the weekend with highs around 28C, experts recommend sticking to tried-and-tested methods: closing curtains during the day, opening windows when outdoor temperatures drop, and using electrical appliances safely. Which? noted that placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan can provide short-term cooling if used carefully to avoid spills, but it is only a temporary solution.
