Britain is bracing for record-breaking temperatures this week, with a rare red weather warning for extreme heat in place for parts of England and Wales. Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 40C, beating the current June all-time record of 35.6C, set in 1976. Many are left wondering how they will manage in such sweltering conditions.
Why Electric Fans May Not Help
Most people are instinctively turning to electric fans in a bid to stay cool. However, this may not be the wisest course of action, reports the Mirror. Electric fans do not actually lower a room's temperature; they simply circulate the existing air. The government's own heatwave plan confirms that electric fans only function effectively when temperatures remain below 35C.
So while having one directed at you may feel pleasant, the room itself remains just as hot as before. In extreme heat above 35C, fans can actually increase heat stress by blowing hot air onto the body.
UK Homes Ill-Prepared for Heat
Britain is ill-prepared to handle soaring mercury levels. Homes across the country are typically built to retain warmth, featuring heavy-duty bricks, insulation, double or triple glazing, and thick roof tiles. Furthermore, the vast majority of UK properties have no air conditioning whatsoever.
With Met Office forecasters having issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday, a red heat health alert has also been issued across England, signalling "a risk to life for even the healthy population."
Government Recommendations for Staying Cool
Nevertheless, there are measures you can take to tackle the heat at home. The government has put forward a number of recommendations to help the public get through the coming days:
- Avoid the sun when it is strongest, typically between 11am and 3pm. If you do have to go outdoors, apply high protection sunscreen regularly, wear a wide-brimmed hat and seek shade.
- Keep your home cool: keep windows and curtains closed in rooms that face the sun during the day. Open windows (if it is safe to) when the air feels cooler outside than inside, for example at night, and try to get air flowing through your home.
- Limit any strenuous physical activity, or plan physical activity for times of the day when it is cooler, like the early morning or evening.
- Avoid hot, closed spaces like stationary cars.
- Wear loose, light-coloured clothing made from breathable natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. Dark colours and synthetic materials absorb and trap heat.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day, not only when thirsty. If sweating heavily, consider rehydration drinks to replace lost electrolytes. Limit caffeine and alcohol, which contribute to dehydration.
- Spray or sponge your skin with cool water. Cold packs wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck can also help.
- Turn off non-essential electronics. TV, laptops and chargers generate heat.
Checking on Vulnerable People
It's crucial to check in on relatives, friends and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to falling ill, and if you find yourself at greater risk, encourage them to reciprocate the gesture. With hundreds of schools shutting their doors and widespread disruption anticipated on public transport, the red weather warning will come into effect across parts of England and Wales from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm the following evening.
