Six tips to stay cool in the heatwave

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Brits are bracing for what could turn out to be the hottest day on record in the UK, with temperatures expected to beat the previous high of 38.5C recorded in the heatwave of August 2003.

Southern and eastern England could reach a sweltering 39C later today, and Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands are expecting record highs as well, reports The Guardian.

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The Government's advisory committee on climate change recently warned that the UK is poorly equipped to handle heatwaves, with homes, hospitals and schools all susceptible to overheating. Everything from our heavily insulated houses to our lack of public drinking fountains points to a nation ill-prepared for extreme heat.

Here are a few tips to help you stay cool and comfortable as the mercury rises:

Windows - open or closed?

The advice on this one is a tad confusing - some advise closing windows in the heat, while others suggest that drawing the curtains or blinds will do. The official NHS position is that sun-facing windows should remain partly or completely closed during the hottest hours, and can then be opened as the weather it starts to cool down. “Blocking out light on sun-facing sides of the house can also make a big difference,” says New Scientist.

“The best way is to have shutters fitted on the outside of windows, blocking the light before it gets into the house. If that isn’t possible, closing curtains will help.”

Stay hydrated

Keeping a supply of water at hand is key during hot weather, especially if you’re travelling on public transport with no air conditioning or are working outside. Staying topped up through the day will lessen your risk of dehydration, whose symptoms include feeling thirsty, dizzy, or light-headed. Babies, children, and the elderly are the most at risk of becoming dehydrated, so keep an eye on the most vulnerable.

Skip the gym

While you can still follow your exercise routine during a heatwave, it is advisable to take precautions, as people are more vulnerable to dehydration and heatstroke while physically active in this weather. This is especially true if you’re exercising outside. If you do want to exercise in the heat, consider going for a swim or finding an air-conditioned gym rather than running laps around the park.

Optimise your fans

Few homes in the UK are fitted with air conditioning, but that just means you may have to get creative with your fans. To get an extra cool breeze going, Lifehacker suggests filling a shallow bowl with ice and placing it in front of the fan - “as the ice evaporates, it will cool the air”. If you have a ceiling fan, the site also suggests setting it to run anti-clockwise, as this setting - on most models, at least - pushes cool air downwards.

Dress smart

Wear lighter colours in the hottest hours of the day, as dark clothing retains heat. But while wearing the fewest clothes possible might seem like an attractive choice, this actually raises the risk of sunburn and makes it harder for the body to stay cool. Loose-fitting clothes, with a hat and sunglasses, are a smarter choice.

Know your cooling points

Adding an ice cube or ice pack wrapped in a towel to certain pulse points on your body will cool you down quicker and more effectively, says Lifehacker. These areas are where your blood vessels are close to the surface of your skin, allowing the contact with cool water to quickly bring down your body temperature. Key cooling points include the head, wrist, and neck.