Heatwave Precautions from an Australian Resident
As the UK's third heatwave of 2026 arrives, with temperatures forecast to hit 35°C in some areas, a woman who previously lived in Australia has shared her tried-and-tested advice for staying cool. The TikTok user, known as thedeclutteringmum, has nearly 2,000 followers and posted a video detailing practical tips for coping with extreme heat.
The Met Office has issued an amber alert for the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East, and South West, running from 9am on Wednesday, July 8, until 9pm on Sunday, July 12. The alert warns of a "likely" risk of death for vulnerable groups and an increased probability of water-related incidents. Southern England could see highs of 33°C on Wednesday and 34°C on Thursday, with isolated spots reaching 35°C on Friday and Saturday.
Close Windows Early to Keep Heat Out
"The first thing is, as soon as the temperature gets hotter outside than inside - this is normally around 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning, it's quite early - shut all your windows and shut all your blinds, curtains, etc," she said. "This is because it's gonna get hotter outside. It will stay much cooler if you deflect any sunshine that's gonna come pouring into your windows."
Use a Fan with Ice for a DIY Air Conditioner
She explained that fans alone just move air around. "If you want to do a makeshift air conditioner, if you don't have an air conditioner, take a traditional fan, put a table just behind it or a surface with a bowl of ice. What will happen is that, as that ice melts, the air around it is gonna get colder, and that is the air that your fan is then going to push around the room, creating a cooler feeling."
Stay Hydrated and Eat Light
"Just keep a water bottle with you, and every single time you look at it, take a sip," she advised. "It's really, really easy to get very dehydrated very quickly in these extreme temperatures." She recommended eating water-rich foods like salads and fruits, and avoiding heavy, greasy foods that make the body work harder. She also noted that room-temperature drinks can be beneficial: "If you drink drinks the same as your body temperature, it helps regulate your body temperature."
Wear Loose Clothing and Avoid Peak Heat
She emphasized wearing loose and light clothing to allow the body to breathe. "Try to change your plan so that you do not have to be out during the peak heat of the day - that's normally anywhere between sort of 11 and 3 or 4 o'clock in the day. If you can be inside, be inside a space, that's cool." For those who must go out, she advised wide-brimmed hats, factor 50 sunscreen, and reapplication every two hours. "Set an alarm on your phone. This type of weather will just scorch your skin. It is so, so dangerous."
Met Office Warning
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates urged people to "take the usual precautions with the heat and the sun." He stated: "Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year. However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking." He added that parts of southern England could see several days in the low 30s, with a few places reaching 34 to 35°C. The Met Office also cautioned that England might experience "tropical nights" later this week, with temperatures not falling below 20°C.
