Coping with Extreme Heat: Community-Sourced Solutions
With the United Kingdom enduring some of its warmest June nights on record, people are devising resourceful ways to mitigate the effects of the intense heat. While some continue to rely on traditional methods like keeping curtains drawn, others are exploring more unconventional approaches to find relief from the sweltering conditions. Here are several do-it-yourself strategies shared by the public for managing a heatwave.
Maintaining a Cool Home Environment
- Foil and Bed Sheet Window Covers: Bethan Earley from Rugby utilizes foil survival blankets on the exterior of her windows to slow down heat absorption, while John Turbefield from Chichester employs white bed sheets on some windows and survival blankets on others, noting their heat-reflecting properties.
- DIY Fan Coolers: John Turbefield also places two-liter frozen water bottles in front of and behind his household fans to circulate cooler air. He advises patience, as large bottles may take a couple of days to freeze solid.
The UK Health Security Agency recommends opening windows only when the external air is cooler than inside and switching off non-essential electronics that generate heat, such as televisions, laptops, and chargers.
Strategies for Restful Sleep
- Chilled Bedding and Towels: Stephanie Reed from Chorley, who manages epilepsy triggered by extreme heat, wets a hand towel and places it at the foot of her bed, sleeping with her feet and ankles on it for sustained coolness. She also chills her seven-year-old daughter's bed sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Wet Towel and Fan Combo: Gordon Cooper, 73, from High Wycombe, hangs a wet bath towel in his bedroom and positions a fan nearby to help cool the space.
- Relocating Sleeping Arrangements: Anabelle Holschuh, 30, from London, found relief by sleeping on her living room sofa, which is north-facing and in a room with high ceilings and an electric fan, after struggling to sleep in her attic bedroom during a previous heatwave.
Dining in the Heat
- Air Fryer for Cooking: Aimee Ludgate, 29, from Bradford, avoids using her oven or hob, opting instead for her air fryer to prepare various meals, including boiled eggs and steak. She also freezes large water bottles for hydration at work.
- Hydrating Foods and Drinks: Dietitian Kate Hilton suggests consuming plenty of iced water and cool, hydrating foods such as cucumber, tomatoes, melon, and frozen smoothies. Berries, peaches, and citrus fruits are also recommended. For children, freezing fruit juice or smoothies into ice pops can be beneficial. Hilton advises moderating alcohol intake due to its dehydrating effects and emphasizes that all fluids, except alcohol, contribute to hydration.
Adapting Work-from-Home Setups
- Moving to Cooler Rooms: Oren Brown, 27, from County Durham, and his partner have relocated their home office downstairs to escape the stifling heat upstairs. Gillian Cooley, near Peterborough, works from her bedroom, which she identifies as the coolest room in her house, and adjusts her work schedule to the evenings when temperatures are lower.
Appropriate Heatwave Attire
- Loose, Light, and Pale Clothing: Jess Jepson, 31, from Manchester, recommends wearing loose-fitting, light, and airy clothes in paler colors. She also keeps her hair tied up to keep it off her face and neck.
- Natural Fabrics and Wide-Brimmed Hats: Stylist Chantelle Znideric advises choosing natural fibers like cotton and linen for their breathability and moisture-dispersing properties, and recommends wide-brimmed fedoras or bucket hats for better sun protection compared to baseball caps.
Adjusting Daily Routines
- Pet Care Adjustments: Annie Smith, 27, from St Albans, and her husband walk their two dachshunds early in the morning and engage them in indoor enrichment activities due to the heat. They also use cooling vests for their dogs and refrigerate wet dog food.
- Early Chores and Shade Seeking: Annie and her partner complete house chores before 10 am to minimize activity during the hottest part of the day. Helena Kandzialka, 55, prefers sitting outside in the shade, finding the breeze cooler than inside her house, and avoids unnecessary car journeys.