The Met Office has confirmed that a third heatwave is set to arrive across large swathes of the UK this July. While it isn't expected to rival the scorching temperatures of June's heatwave, many may still resort to risky methods to keep cool, according to experts.
The approaching heatwave is predicted to be most intense across southern regions of the UK, with temperatures climbing to 34C to 35C. The Met Office has warned that hot and arid conditions could endure for several days, leaving countless people facing multiple sleepless, stifling nights. While England and Wales will experience the worst of the heat, the warm weather is also set to extend into parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, where temperatures are anticipated to hit the upper 20s.
Window Opening Times: A Security and Insurance Risk
Countless articles have recommended keeping windows closed during the hottest hours of the day to stop heat from infiltrating the home, though some have interpreted this as leaving windows open all night long. While this might create a refreshing breeze to help with sleep, it also creates a serious security risk.
Go. Compare's home insurance expert Tamzin Metcalfe warned: "One of TikTok's most common heatwave hacks, with hundreds of thousands of views, presents a genuine insurance risk. Leaving a window or door open overnight to help bring a breeze inside might help to keep your rooms cool, but if a burglar enters your property through an open door, any claim you try to make on your insurance will probably be rejected."
Overnight Fans: Fire and Safety Hazards
For those who must keep windows closed during the night, some people may turn to indoor fans and similar appliances to stay comfortable while sleeping, although this also poses significant health hazards. Giuseppe Capanna, Product Safety Engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: "Households are putting themselves at risk if a fault occurs with their device while they are sleeping. We advise turning your fan off before going to sleep. However, we understand many people will be tempted to keep it on and in this instance, we urge households to ensure they have working smoke alarms in their property."
DIY 'Portable AC' Hack: Electric Shock and Damage
A popular TikTok suggestion involves fashioning a makeshift air conditioner by fastening wet or frozen towels and ice packs to fans, supposedly making the circulated air feel significantly cooler. However, Capanna urged caution against this purported 'hack', stating: "Both of these could leave you at serious risk of electric shock, as water risks coming into contact with the motor. We advise everyone to ignore these videos that can garner hundreds of thousands of views." Hanging ice or damp towels over your fan can also cause mechanical issues if the items get caught in the blades, or if the extra weight causes the fan to topple over. Consequently, in your attempt to mimic air conditioning, you might end up with nothing but a broken fan in the middle of a heatwave.
