The UK is set to face record-breaking temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday, forcing hundreds of schools to close and anticipating chaos on public transport. A rare red weather warning is also currently in place for parts of England and Wales from 9am Wednesday to 9pm the following day.
Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 40C, beating the current June all-time record of 35.6C in 1976, causing pretty much everyone to wonder how they will cope in the extreme heat. Most people will likely turn to their trusty electric fans. However, that might not be the wisest decision.
Contrary to what we feel, electric fans don’t actually reduce a room’s temperature. They circulate the air, and so while it might feel refreshing to have one blowing air directly at you, the room remains as hot as before.
The Government’s own heatwave plan states that electric fans are only effective at temperatures below 35C.
The UK government’s advice from the UK Health Security Agency says: “Homes can overheat and become uncomfortable during warmer weather, particularly when you are trying to sleep.
“…Use electric fans if the air temperature is below 35C, but do not aim the fan directly at your body as this can lead to dehydration.”
Unfortunately, the UK is not well-equipped to deal with skyrocketing temperatures. It is typically designed to retain heat using heavy-duty bricks, insulation, double- or triple-glazing, and thick roof tiles. On top of that, most UK homes are without air conditioning units.
There are, however, plenty of ways to tackle the heat at home. The Government has shared several suggestions to help households get through the next few days:
In addition to the Met Office‘s red weather warning, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a red heat health alert stating that the conditions are “a risk to life for even the healthy population”.
It is vital that you check on family, friends and neighbours, especially those who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell. If you are also at higher risk, you should ask loved ones and those in close proximity to do the same for you.