Keeping cool during the hot weather

The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning for Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June, with temperatures expected to reach up to 38°C. Red is the highest warning level.

A spell like this can make some homes uncomfortably warm. Here's some practical information that might help.

Keeping your home cooler

A few things can make a difference when it's hot outside:

• close curtains and blinds on the sunny side of your home during the day
• open windows in the early morning and evening, when the air outside is cooler
• keep windows closed during the hottest hours if it's warmer outside than in
• switch off lights and appliances you're not using, as they give off heat

Why some homes feel hotter than others

Top-floor flats, homes with large windows, and rooms that catch the sun for most of the day all tend to heat up more. If that sounds like your home, it can take a bit more to keep comfortable.

Staying well in the heat

For advice on looking after yourself and others, including how to spot the signs of heat exhaustion, the government's Beat the Heat guidance has it all in one place: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/beat-the-heat-hot-weather-advice/beat-the-heat-staying-safe-in-hot-weather