A simple hack can help to cool down your home in hot weather – it's completely free and only takes seconds
You won't have to spend a single penny to make your space more comfortable in the sweltering heat.
With the UK staring down the barrel of a potentially scorching summer, many of Brits are looking for ways to keep cool.
There has even been a spike in Google searches for heatstroke signs and treatments this month.
Corey Sims at CSDB has revealed some simple and practical tips to beat the heat, without breaking the bank.
One of his hacks involves freezing your bed sheets and pyjamas for a cool night's sleep.
However, another lesser known step can also be taken to stay refreshed in the summer heat.
Corey recommended sourcing a plastic spray bottle and filling it with cold water.
And while everyone knows that this can be used to spray yourself directly in order to cool down, you can also use it to lower the temperature of your home.
You can spray your curtains to create a budget-friendly cooling effect in a room.
"Dampen your curtains to cool the room," the expert advised toasty homeowners.
"As air blows across the wet drapes, evaporating water absorbs heat and lowers the room temperature.
"The hot weather also ensures the curtains dry quickly without smelling damp."
If you don't have a plastic spray bottle on hand, you can pick them up from most bargain retailers.
And the expert shared an additional tip that will help you survive the rest of the summer.
If you keep your spray bottle of water refigerated for the upcoming weeks, you can guarantee a cool home until September.
"One great idea is to fill multiple spray bottles with water and store them in the fridge, so they are ready when needed," he said.
The expert revealed other steps you can take to keep your home cool this summer.
He recommended close your windows and blinds during the hottest part of the day.
"Just as cold air enters your home through windows in winter, hot air does the same in summer," the pro explained.
"Keep them closed during the day to block out heat. Open them early in the morning and at night to let in cooler air."
He also advised against using your oven in the hot weather, instead opting for no-cook meals like salads and sandwiches to keep your kitchen cool.
"This is a perfect excuse for a BBQ to keep the heat outside your home," the expert pointed out.
"Using an oven at operating temperatures for any amount of time is reported to raise the temperature in your home by five degrees.
"This could contribute to heat exhaustion if your home is already hot.
"Picky bits on a hot day are another brilliant go-to for dinner."
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Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Wave goodbye to the heat... for now! Brits to start cooling off as temperatures dip and rain is set to fall - but not for long
Britain is set to cool off tomorrow after a scorching heatwave that posed a 'risk to life' peaked today - but temperatures could near 30C again in parts of the UK by the end of the week. Sunseekers basked in searing 34.7C in St James's Park, London, this afternoon as the UK saw its hottest day of the year reached. Elsewhere across England, the seaside counties of Essex and Kent well surpassed 33C - a red-hot 34.4C being recorded in Writtle - which also almost nearly broke the hottest-ever July 1 on record. Those temperatures marked the end of a scorching heatwave that saw an amber alert deployed, which the Met Office say is only used when forecasters think there is a 'potential risk to life and property'. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had activated a five-day warning starting on Friday due to concerns that there could be 'a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions'. And while that alert has been extended until 9am tomorrow, much of the UK is expected to simmer from the boiling temperatures that have scorched the country, with rain now forecast in some parts. However, the heat in more southern areas could return with a vengeance by this weekend as forecasters are already predicting that the south east could be sizzling again by Friday. Delivering an update on the weather across the UK going into this evening and the rest of the week, Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said there was still a lot of humidity in parts of the UK. She said southern areas of England would hold at around 17C or 18C tonight which could make for 'another uncomfortable night for sleeping'. Ms Nasir added: 'Overnight tonight, rain will ease towards the north sea but still quite murky across Scotland, northern England, even the Midlands and eastern counties. 'It'll be cooler towards the north west with one or two showers, but yet again a muggy night down towards the south where we could see temperatures holding around 17C or 18C, so another uncomfortable night for sleeping. 'Temperatures are probably a degree or so lower than last night, even so. 'First thing tomorrow morning more clouds and some showery bursts are likely in the south. Generally a lot of clouds across eastern counties with some wet weather coming and going. 'It could actually intensify for a time with the risk of thunder through the morning before it clears towards the east. 'And then brighter skies for many as we head through the day with some sunshine, but showers will develop in situ, particularly for Northern Ireland, as well as Scotland and one or two for northern England. Low water levels at Baitings Reservoir reveal an ancient pack horse bridge in Ripponden today 'But a fine end to the day further south, temperatures not as high which is good news towards the south east where it's been fairly oppressive.' As the week continues, temperatures in the UK's south east look set to keep rising as the weekend approaches, with London predicted to hit 28C on Friday. Commuters to the city tomorrow morning should keep in mind that there is a chance of rain starting from 7am, which is 50 to 60 per cent likely after 10am until midday. Elsewhere, the south coast should remain at around 23C until the end of the week, while places like Birmingham and Manchester will sit in the low 20s. Further north, Newcastle is set to face a significant downpour tomorrow as the city's temperatures will hold at around 20C until the weekend, which also looks set to be gloomy and cloudy. And in Glasgow and Edinburgh, rain is expected from tomorrow until Sunday with temperatures across Scotland's central belt peaking at around 19C. Belfast is expected to be a similar climate. Meanwhile for Cardiff the sunny weather is set to continue into the weekend but things will quickly turn showery on Saturday and Sunday. The hottest-ever temperature for England was recorded on July 19, 2022, when Coningsby, Lincolnshire, saw an astonishing 40.3C reached. Yesterday's heat of 33C almost surpassed the hottest ever June day of 35.6C which was recorded in Southampton in 1976. And today's temperatures almost beat the hottest ever July 1 on record, which was in 2015 when temperatures hit 36.7C. By 1pm today the mercury had hit 33.5C (92.3F) at East Malling in Kent - making it the UK's hottest day of the year so far - beating the 33.2C (91.8F) on June 21 recorded in Surrey. Bedfordshire Council even said its gritters had been dispatched to protect the roads and provide grip for drivers amid fears the heat could cause the Tarmac to soften. Parts of southern England sweated through a tropical night, which happens when temperatures stay above 20C (68F) overnight into the morning. Some tennis fans slept in the early heat after sunrise as they queued for day two of Wimbledon, with British number one Jack Draper and reigning women's champion Barbora Krejcikova starting their campaigns at the All England Club today. And commuters on the London Underground faced travel chaos after a fire alert at South Kensington, which saw the Circle line completely suspended and the District and Hammersmith & City lines both part-suspended. A driver on one Tube train told passengers in an announcement that the fire was likely caused by the heat. An investigation by MailOnline revealed that the temperatures on the tubes surpassed the legal limit at which the UK Government's Animal and Plant Health Agency says it is too hot to transport livestock. So, while the heatwave officially ends after today, conditions will remain warm - with 25C (77F) tomorrow, 26C (79F) on Thursday, 28C (82F) on Friday and 24C (75F) this weekend in London. The hottest day of 2024 was 34.8C (94.6F) in Cambridge on August 12; while the peak in 2023 was 33.5C (92.3F) in Kent on September 10; and the 2022 high was 40.3C (104.5F) on July 19 in Lincolnshire - the UK's highest temperature on record. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different areas. The sweltering heat meant yesterday was one of the hottest June days ever, with UK temperatures for the month only surpassing 34C (93.2F) in only three years since 1960. The hottest June day ever was 35.6C (96.1F), recorded on June 28, 1976. And yesterday was the hottest start to Wimbledon on record, with 29.7C (85.5F) being recorded at the nearby Kew Gardens. The previous record at the tennis championships - 29.3C (84.7F) - was set on June 25, 2001. It marks the second heatwave for parts of the UK this month, with scientists warning searing temperatures of 32C (90F) earlier in June were made 100 times more likely because of human-caused climate change, while the heatwave that gripped south-east England was 10 times likelier. They said heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, and experts have warned heatwaves are 'silent killers', with the impacts of heat severely underestimated. They also say that the UK is unprepared for the rising risk of extremely hot conditions that climate change is bringing - especially earlier in the summer, when people are less acclimatised to coping with it. Professor Richard Allan, from the University of Reading, said the UK was on the edge of a 'large dome of heat' over continental Europe which was driving the heat wave, while ocean temperatures were also up to 2C above average to the south-west of the UK and 'hotter still in the western Mediterranean'. 'The ebb and flow of gigantic atmospheric waves have generated the stable, cloud-free conditions for heat to build up across western Europe,' he said, but added that rising greenhouse gas levels due to human activities were making heat waves more intense. Temperatures have climbed above 40C in countries including Italy, Spain and Greece, with holiday destinations such as Rome, Milan and Naples under the highest heat alert, while Greece is on high wildfire alert. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: 'The current spell of hot weather is forecast to continue until the middle of this week, with temperatures above 30C likely in most regions of England. 'We are reminding everyone to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun. 'Remember that it is very important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable, as the temperatures we are likely to see over the next few days can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions.' Dr Friederike Otto, associate professor at Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, said climate change was an 'absolute game-changer' for heat in Europe, making heat waves more frequent and more intense. 'Heat waves are called the silent killer, for a reason, every year thousands of people in Europe die due to extreme heat, particularly those that live in poorly insulated homes, on busy, polluted roads, and that already have health problems,' she said. 'But extreme heat also leads to agricultural losses, infrastructure failure and puts a big strain on plants and animals.' Meanwhile, the Business Secretary has said the UK does not need additional workplace laws which would allow Britons to be sent home during hot weather. Jonathan Reynolds said 'behavioural changes' like drinking plenty of water and staying protected in the sun were more important. There is no law nor guidance in the UK for minimum or maximum acceptable workplace temperatures, but employers must follow health and safety law to keep temperatures at a reasonable level. Mr Reynolds suggested a law change was not needed when asked if workers should be sent home in the event temperatures climb too high and there is no mitigation like air conditioning in place. He said: 'It is a hot day today for a northerner like myself. I'm struggling a little bit with it. 'There are existing laws in place, the health and safety acts, around what a safe workplace should be. I don't think we need more legislation in that area.' He added: 'Obviously, some behavioural changes, making sure people are hydrated, obviously are duly protected if they work, particularly outside. 'I think we have got to make sure that we're doing that. We shouldn't need additional laws.' Conservationists and green experts have warned of the wildfire risk of the heatwave as well as the impact on farmers, who face another poor harvest following one of the driest springs on record. Retailers warned today that fruit and vegetable prices in Britain have increased due to the hot and dry weather reducing harvest yields. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said this jump had contributed to shop prices having returned to inflation for the first time in almost a year. Overall shop prices were 0.4 per cent higher in June than a year earlier - a significant jump from the decline of 0.1 per cent seen in May, according to the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index. Food inflation increased to 3.7 per cent from May's 2.8 per cent in May, while fresh food was 3.2 per cent more expensive than a year ago. Meat prices have also been hit by high wholesale prices and more expensive labour costs. In terms of wildfires, Ben McCarthy, head of nature conservation and restoration ecology at the National Trust, said: 'With record-breaking temperatures across the country this week following the driest spring on record, our ranger and countryside teams are on high alert for fires which can cause decades of damage to habitats, decimate ecosystems and result in significant losses to our wildlife. 'Unfortunately, the sad truth is that most of the fires in the UK that impact our landscapes are started by people, whether accidentally or not, rather than by natural causes. 'Therefore, we're calling on people to help us protect wildlife and habitats by acting responsibly when outdoors, as even a small spark can cause a fire, and to please call 999 if you see a fire or any suspicious behaviour.'
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Mediterranean Sea hits record 30C as marine heatwave puts species at risk
Mediterranean Sea temperatures surged in a marine heatwave during June, putting some species under threat as Europe swelters under record-setting and deadly hot weather. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service said sea surface temperatures on 22 June were more than five degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Waters off Spain hit a record 30C on Tuesday, according to Spanish forecaster AEMET. It comes after the summit of Mont Blanc, western Europe's highest mountain, remained above freezing for a whole day for the first time in history – another terrifying hint at the pace of climate change. Italy limited outdoor work, France closed schools and Turkey battled wildfires on Tuesday in a heatwave that meteorologists said was 'exceptional' for arriving so early in summer. Spain confirmed its hottest June on record, while temperatures passed 40 degrees Celsius (104F) in some of its cities on Tuesday. Europe is known to be heating up at twice the global average speed and is the world's fastest-warming continent, according to Copernicus. 'What is exceptional ... but not unprecedented is the time of year,' said World Meteorological Organization spokesperson Clare Nullis. Europe is experiencing extreme heat 'which normally we would see later on in the summer,' she said. Some countries issued health alerts and trade unions attributed the death of a construction worker near Bologna on Monday to the heat. Outdoor work was banned in some Italian regions during the hottest hours of the day as Italy issued heatwave red alerts for 17 cities, including Milan and Rome. Power outages, likely caused or aggravated by spiking electricity consumption from air conditioners, were reported in central Florence and in the northern city of Bergamo. In Sicily, a woman with a heart condition reportedly died while walking in Bagheria, news agencies reported. In Barcelona, authorities were looking into whether the death of a street sweeper at the weekend was heat-related. The Red Cross set up an air-conditioned "climate refuge" for residents in Malaga. Extreme heat can kill by causing heat stroke, or aggravating cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, with older people being among the most vulnerable. Turkey continued to battle the wildfires that forced the temporary evacuation of around 50,000 residents in areas surrounding Izmir earlier this week. In France, nearly 1,900 schools were closed. In Spain, the average temperature was 23.6C last month. Copernicus said June probably ranks among the five warmest in the country's history. England had its hottest June since at least 1884, the Met Office said. A Paris-Milan rail service was disrupted because of a mudslide on the French side of the Alps, with full service not expected to be fully restored until mid-July. The top floor of the Eiffel Tower was closed, disappointing scores of visitors. 'I tried to get all organised before our departure and the result is nonsense,' said Laia Pons, 42, a teacher from Barcelona who booked Eiffel tickets for her family three years ago. The scorching temperatures have raised the risk of field fires as farmers in France, the European Union's biggest grain producer, start harvesting this year's crop, with many working through the night to avoid peak afternoon temperatures. In the Mediterranean, the most intense warming during June's 'marine heatwave' was in the western area including the Balearic Sea, off Spain, and the Tyrrhenian Sea, off western Italy. 'We have seen temperatures we were expecting in the middle of August being recorded in June and ... this is why it is considered a record year for temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea,' Christos Spyrou, associate researcher at the Academy of Athens research centre for atmospheric physics, said. He said that the average sea temperatures in June were 3-6 degrees higher than the average between 1982-2023, which was used as a reference period. 'We expected these sea temperatures in August,' Spyrou said. 'Some species will not be able to reproduce or survive in these conditions, especially in increasing temperatures.'
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm a dog trainer - here's how to entertain your pet when it's too hot to go for a walk
A professional dog trainer has revealed her top tips for pet safety during a heatwave - especially when it's too hot to go for a walk. Pip Tomson from North Oxfordshire, who runs Paws With Pip, says there's a 'misconception' that dogs need to be walked every day. As temperatures in the UK soar above 30 degrees this week, it's actually safer to keep to training exercises inside. While walking your dog 'really early' in the morning or as late as possible in the evening is better during a heatwave, Pip emphasises that dogs will be just as satisfied with 'mental stimulation' indoors. Pip, who trained with Victoria Sitwell Academy, told MailOnline: 'The first thing I would say is, do not walk your dog during the day. It's just too hot. 'I think there's a little bit of a misconception that you've got to exercise your dog every single day without fail. 'When it's weather like we're having - you don't need to do that at all. But there's other things you can do that will be stimulating for your dog, alongside physical exercise.' In one video, the certified professional shared a mat trick to help her dog Bindy to settle - saying that, once perfected, it helps them to keep calm when the doorbell rings, when the postman comes - and can even be taken to a coffee shop. In the clip, Pip encouraged Bindy onto the mat with treats, eventually hoping for her to lie down of her own accord. She showed how to perfect it, saying: 'All I do, is I reward her for getting onto the mat.' Afterwards, she decided to 'reset' her, throwing a treat away from the mat, to start again. When she came back, she gave her another treat. 'Notice how I waited for all four paws on the mat. You don't have two - in the early stages you can wait for your dog to just put two paws on the mat. That's amazing. We do all this in small steps.' Eventually, Bindy began to come to the mat of her own accord. Pip, 47, said: 'Now this is really good for her. It helps keep her calm and it's also great when we go to the vets because she can get really uncomfortable. 'If she's used to her little mat, where lovely things happen on it, like treats, then that makes the whole experience so much easier.' As temperatures in the UK soar above 30 degrees this week, it's actually safer to keep to training exercises inside Pip says most dogs work really well with food as a motivator - and it can be balanced out with reducing their kibble at dinner time Pip's tips for how to look after your pet in the heatwave 1. Don't take your pet running or cycling. 2. Only walk your pet very early in the morning or late at night. 3. Don't leave your dog in car, not even with windows open - unless the air con is on 4. Make sure they have access to water and a bowl at all times - put them in several rooms of your house. You can also add ice cubes. 5. You can use pet-safe sunscreens if your dog is prone to sunburn 6. Use cool damp towels or an ice pack wrapped in a towel. 7. If your dog does like water, you can use paddling pools and water sprinklers. 8. Check the weather forecast and make sure they have access to shade 9. Focus on training exercises instead of physical activity. 10. Carefully monitor your pet for all signs of heatstroke. Other exercises can also come in handy, such as food puzzles or even stuffing a toy Kong - or hiding treats round the house. This will keep them occupied inside and you can even add cool treats from the fridge, such as doggy ice cream. Pip says most dogs work really well with food as a motivator and it can be balanced out by giving them a bit less of their kibble, or whatever food it might be, at dinnertime. For those that are less food-motivated, Pip recommends a squeaky toy, or trying out a food platter with different types of treats to see what they're likely to respond too. And the exercises don't need to take a long time - for a puppy, it only needs to be a few minutes, while older dogs can have up to 10 minutes training at a time. In the hot weather, Pip says you can even ask your dog walker to try out the training exercises during a home visit, instead of taking them out in the heat. When your pet does go outside, for example in the garden, Pip says you should add pet-safe sunscreen to any white patches, and make sure there's easy access to water. In the hot weather, dogs will also respond well to paddling pools and sprinklers - but it's still important to be mindful of how easily they can overheat. Pip said: 'They cannot regulate their own body temperature. They don't sweat like us. They sweat a little bit through the pads on their paws, but they don't sweat like we do.' Dogs with flat faces, such as the popular French Bulldogs and Boxer breeds, are especially vulnerable to heatstroke. You should contact your vet immediately if you notice your dog heavily panting, drooling a lot, being sick or acting very lethargic - all of which can signify heatstroke. She says that dogs suffer a lot more in the high temperatures than humans do, and aren't used to it being so hot Pip says: 'We're their caregivers, so we've got a huge responsibility to return their unconditional love by looking after them properly. 'In the UK, dogs are not used to living in exceedingly hot temperatures. They're used to a cooler climate. 'It's about having really good brain health as well, improving communication with your dog and building a better bond with them.' And it may sound simple - but it's always important to check the weather forecast before heading out for the day, and make sure your pooch will have access to the shade. Pip is also sharing her dog training adventures on Instagram on her account @paws_withpip
