UK heatwave: Eight clever hacks to keep you and pets cool – and get some sleep

The Met Office has officially declared our third heatwave – and despite the muggy conditions and housing stock built for winters, there are clever tricks to survive the soaring temperatures

Our third heatwave is here. The Met Office forecasts the entire UK will be scorchio, scorchio, scorchio! No word yet on pestilence and plagues, but it is bringing drought.

“This hot spell is probably one of the more widespread spells of heat this summer,” says Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell. “The one we had about a week or so ago was restricted to England and Wales, while Scotland and Northern Ireland didn’t really see any hot weather. However, they did in the first heatwave.”

Three consecutive days where temperatures exceed a location-specific threshold constitutes a heatwave, in Met Office terms. “If you live in London, you have to get to 28 degrees or more for three days,” explains Craig. “But in Scotland, Northern Ireland, parts of Southwest England, it’s 25 degrees or more. Using our definition, this is the third occurrence this summer.”

But don’t fret – this heatwave is expected to be less intense. Many Brits may have acclimatised to the regular sight of that big round yellow thing in the sky. And, we could stop calling it a heatwave and just call it summer!

“Temperatures probably aren’t going to be as high as before when, on July 1, we got to 35.8 in Kent,” says Craig. “But for Scotland, Northern Ireland, down across the south west of England, this hot spell might be hotter than before.”

Met Office clip boards have been closely monitoring the rising mercury. “In the last 50 years, temperatures on average have increased,” says Craig. “The average max temperature between 1960 and 1990 for London in July was 22 degrees. Between 1990 and 2020, it went up to 23.31 – that’s almost a degree and a half.”

It’s the same across the UK in Aberdeenshire. “They’ve gone up a degree as well in the same period,” Craig adds.

While climate change means more long, hot summers, there will still be rainy days. “Climate teams tell us we’ll probably see rainfall become a little bit more condensed into the winter months, and summer months will be generally drier with rainfall coming in quick bursts,” says Craig.

“Each summer is still going to be different, but the general theme is that we’re likely to see warmer summers and heavy downpours rather than steady rain, which will increase the risk of flash flooding.”

And we’re not imagining it when we moan that our heat is more humid than the sunshine on the Spanish costas. “Other hot parts of the world are often on big continents, so there’s not a lot of sea around them,“ explains Craig. “We’re an island nation, so the moisture makes our summer more muggy.

“Our houses in the UK are designed to trap in heat during the longer winter months too, so that’s why we might feel the heat more here. And, of course, while you’re on holiday, you’re not wearing a suit and sitting on a melting train.”

1. Avoid peak heat hours

“Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun,” sang Noel Coward. Stay in the shade between 11-3pm, don’t rush around, wear light-coloured thin cotton clothing, a wide brimmed hat or carry a brolly to keep the sun off. Slather on at least a Factor 30+ SPF sunscreen and reapply regularly.

2. Block the sunshine

The best way to keep a house cool is to stop the sunshine and hot air from getting in. Keep the windows closed and blinds and curtains drawn, especially in south-facing rooms.

When the temperature drops at night, open the windows, and let cooler air in – even placing a rotary fan by the window to suck the cooler air in.

Open windows at opposite ends of your home to create a natural breeze. Keep internal doors open and let air circulate.

3. Top up your H2O

Sip plenty of water all day to stay hydrated and eat cold, water-rich foods like watermelon, strawberries and cucumbers in salads.

Brits love to say a cup of hot tea will cool you down, and it does – providing your sweat can evaporate, which is less likely in our humid climate.

4. Keep your home cool

Rotary fans at home are now your new best friend. For DIY air-con – hang a thin, damp cloth or sheet (wrung out to avoid puddles) over the front of the fan, so the air is cooled as the water evaporates from the cloth.

Banish the oven and don’t switch on extra heat sources like TV or computers.

A dehumidifier can also make the heat more bearable.

5. Sleep in the heat

Take a tepid – not cold – shower before bed. Or run cold water on key pulse points like the wrists, dip your feet in a cold basin of water, or use a damp, chilled flannel on your forehead or neck to lower your core temperature faster.

Sleep on your side to let the air circulate around you, and use just a cotton duvet cover or sheet.

6. Keep your garden green

During a hosepipe ban, let the grass go patchy and brown. Soon as the rains come (which they will), the lawn will spring back into life.

Conserve tap water by giving plants, flowers and pots a good soak just in the evening with a watering can.

7. Keeping vulnerable safe

Keeping an eye on elderly relatives or your children is important in a heatwave.

Signs of heat exhaustion are goosebumps, dizziness, headache, cramping and feeling sick, while a high body temperature and confusion could be heat stroke and is potentially fatal.

8. Hot dogs and cool cats

Go for early morning or late evening dog walk to avoid the heat, or hot pavements that burn paws. Buy a paddling pool or a cooling mat, or just let them lie on a damp towel in a room with a fan.

Keep fish tanks out of direct sunlight, and move small pet enclosures to a shady part of the garden.

Cats will just sleep all day in the shade but they are more at risk from heatstroke. They sometimes prefer not to drink water from bowls near their food, so make sure there are many options.

Signs of heatstroke are panting or looking restless, so move them to a cool area, offer water and call the vet.