Keeping cool at home during hot weather

A period of extreme hot weather is expected, and a Red Heat-Health Alert has been issued. This means temperatures are high enough to pose a risk to everyone’s health – not just those who are usually more vulnerable.

Homes in the UK are designed to keep heat in during winter, which means they can quickly become too hot in summer. Taking a few simple steps can help you stay cool, safe and well at home.

Preparing for hot weather:

1. Consider installing internal blinds or curtains, or external shutters, roller blinds or awnings are also very effective.
2. If you have a ventilation system in your home, check this is switched on and operating in ‘summer mode’ if it has one.
3. Check that fridges, freezers, and fans are working properly, for example by checking that your food is remaining cold or frozen.
4. Check medicines can be stored according to the instructions on the packaging.
5. If insulating or refurbishing your home, ask installers for advice about reducing overheating. Insulation in a home works in a similar way to a thermal mug or flask: a flask slows the rate that heat escapes or gets into the liquid, keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Insulation in a house works in the same way and will help to keep a home cool in summer and warm in winter.
6. Growing plants outside can provide shade, which may be particularly helpful in front of south-facing windows, while plants inside may help cool the air.

During hot weather:

1. If possible, shade or cover windows – especially sun facing windows during the day
2. Open windows (when it is safe to do so) when the air feels cooler outside, for example at night, and try to get air flowing through the home. Try to use the chimney effect where possible by opening upper windows (where the hot air rises and escapes) and lower windows (to allow cooler air in to replace the warm air) -  this creates a natural airflow
3. Use electric fans if the air temperature is below 35°C, but do not aim the fan directly at your body as this can lead to dehydration. More expensive tower, desktop and pedestal fans aren’t necessarily more efficient or cheaper to run than cheaper models.
4. Check that your heating is turned off.
5. To reduce heat generated in the home, turn off lights and electrical equipment that are not in use and consider cooking at cooler times of the day.
6. Move to a cooler part of the house, especially for sleeping if possible.
7. It may be cooler outside in the shade or in a community or public building (such as  Warm Welcome Spaces, places of worship, community centres, local libraries, or supermarkets) which provide support through the summer as well as winter, so consider a visit as a way of cooling down if you are able to safely travel there without putting yourself at more risk from the heat
8. Consider drying your washing outside if you have access to outdoor space - this can reduce energy that would be used by a tumble drier or reduce condensation from drying washing inside.
9. Make sure you have ice cubes and keep hydrated, drinking plenty of cold water across the day.

Who may be most affected?

Hot weather can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk of becoming unwell, including:

• Older people
• Babies and young children
• People with long-term health conditions
• People who live alone or are socially isolated
• People living in homes that are more likely to overheat [nhs.uk], [redcross.org.uk]

During periods of extreme heat, it’s important for everyone to take precautions.

 

 Recognising heat exhaustion

It’s important to know the signs that someone may be becoming unwell due to heat.

Symptoms can include:

• Headache or dizziness
• Feeling sick
• Excessive sweating
• Tiredness or weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Feeling very thirsty

If symptoms don’t improve after resting in a cool place and drinking fluids, seek medical advice.

Where to get help:

Home energy efficiency advice:

BrumEnergy

Health advice during hot weather:

Beat the heat

NHS advice on heat exhaustion and heat stroke

NHS advice on sunscreen and sun safety

Birmingham City Council – dealing with severe weather

Local community spaces, organisations and services:

Warm Welcome Spaces (Help in the summer as well as winter!)

www.bvsc.org/listing/category/directories (Find spaces, organisations and services near you)

West Midlands Fire Service  Heatwave and fire safety guidance is available

Water safety guidance is available from the Met Office and Swim England   

For vulnerable groups and those who work with them: 

Red Cross provides guidance to all vulnerable groups  

UK Health Security Agency provides guidance for people who work with vulnerable groups (e.g. social care managers, healthcare professionals, those working with homeless people, teachers and those working with children)  

NHS provides guidance for babies and young children, UK Health Security Agency has further information for those working in schools and other education settings  

Age UK provides guidance for older adults in a heatwave  

NHS Devon has pulled together guidance for those with long-term conditions