Remembering this advice could help avoid making your house feel like a sauna (Image: Getty)
With many people set to enjoy a hot bank holiday weekend, as temperatures hit 33C in parts of the UK, a reminder has been issued about how to stay cool at home during the intense heat. One kitchen habit should be put on hold until after 3pm, experts suggest.
A British Gas engineer claims that simple changes, such as keeping windows shut during the day, can significantly reduce indoor temperatures during heatwave conditions. Across the country, from Friday, forecasts indicate that some Brits could bask in highs of 33C.
Peter Knowles, service and repair engineer at British Gas, said: “We all know how frustrating it is when our homes are hot and stuffy. The good news is that there are some practical steps that households can take to help keep inside
One suggestion Peter made was to save cooking and washing for the cooler parts of the day. He said: “Using ovens, hobs, tumble dryers and washing machines during the coolest parts of the day prevents adding extra heat when temperatures peak.
“Batch cook early morning or late evening, air-dry laundry outdoors where possible, and embrace lighter meals that don’t require cooking during the hottest hours.” The hottest times of the day tend to fall between 11am and 3pm because temperatures tend to climb, and UV levels are at their most intense peak.
Organisations like the NHS and Met Office both stand by the advice that people should protect themselves as best as possible between these times of the day.
The NHS said: “Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October. You can also check the UV index on a weather app or website. If it’s three or higher, consider protecting your skin.”
The Met Office adds: “Try to avoid the hottest part of the day (11am to 3pm) and seek shade where possible. Avoid being in the sun for long stretches. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, high-factor sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.”
The NHS claims that everyone should be aware of sun safety, and certain people should take extra care in the sun. These include:
- have pale, white or light brown skin
- have freckles or red or fair hair
- have light coloured eyes
- tend to burn rather than tan
- have many moles
- have skin problems related to a medical condition
- are only exposed to intense sun occasionally (for example, while on holiday)
- are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense
- have a family history of skin cancer
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Ahead of the long weekend, Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steve Kocher, said: “Temperatures will climb through the weekend, especially in the south, where 30C is likely to be recorded on Saturday and 32C on Sunday. Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday when we could see 33C recorded in southern England and the Midlands.
“It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8C. As well as it being hot, there will be lots of dry and sunny weather for much of the UK.
“There will, however, be more cloud and some showers in Northern Ireland and western Scotland through the weekend. With relatively low sea surface temperatures, there is also likely to be some low cloud and sea fog clinging closely to western coasts.”