How to cope in a heatwave – according to you

How to cope in a heatwave – according to you

As the UK experiences some of the hottest June nights ever recorded, many people are finding inventive ways to keep cool. While some rely on familiar techniques like keeping blackout curtains drawn throughout the day, others are experimenting with less conventional approaches to gain relief from the heat. These practical tips reflect the creative methods individuals are adopting to cope during the heatwave.

Bethan Earley, a resident of Rugby, shares that she uses foil survival blankets taped to the outside of her windows to slow down the warming of her home. “The house does still get warm,” she told BBC Your Voice, “but it takes much longer to warm up.” Similarly, John Turbefield from Chichester employs white bed sheets on some of the hottest room windows, supplemented by survival blankets bought specifically for their heat-reflecting properties. John explains, “They’re designed to reflect heat and they are large, so they’re ideal for taping to the window frame to reflect most of the light back out.” Additionally, he strategically positions large frozen two-litre water bottles in front of fans to circulate cooler air, though he cautions that freezing such bottles can take several days.

Health officials recommend opening windows only when it is cooler outside than inside, and advise turning off heat-generating electronics such as TVs, laptops, and phone chargers to further reduce indoor heat. For sleeping comfort, Stephanie Reed from Chorley, who has epilepsy triggered by extreme heat, cools her body by placing a dampened hand towel at the foot of her bed to regulate temperature. She also cools her daughter’s bed sheet by moistening it and freezing it briefly before bedtime to ensure it remains cool without freezing solid.

Others have modified their sleeping arrangements to escape heat. Anabelle Holschuh from London has moved her sleeping spot from her attic bedroom to the living room sofa, appreciating the cooler north-facing room with high ceilings and an electric fan. Meanwhile, Gordon Cooper from High Wycombe cools his bedroom by hanging a wet towel near a fan. In the kitchen, amid the heat, Aimee Ludgate from Bradford chooses not to use the oven or stove. Instead, she relies heavily on her air fryer for cooking various meals, including boiling eggs and preparing steak, and keeps hydrated by freezing large water bottles to take to work

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