UK households urged to close curtains on Sunday | UK | News
Closing the curtains this weekend will be a savior for many people (Image: Getty)
Households across the UK have been advised to follow expert advice as the weather warms up in the coming days. After a period of low temperatures and heavy rainfall across much of the country, the country will enjoy some summery conditions this Bank Holiday weekend. Weather maps from forecaster WXCharts show temperatures soaring above 28C in some parts of the country, while the Met Office is predicting temperatures will be higher than normal for this time of year.
Cities such as London, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester will enjoy temperatures in the upper 20s. While this will get many people outside to enjoy the warm weather, some Brits, particularly those with certain health conditions, will be focusing on keeping cool. When the weather gets warmer, homes can become uncomfortably stuffy and hot, but there are ways to cope. Besides using an electric fan, there are simple actions that can be taken at home to keep the temperature inside cooler than outside.
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British Red Cross offers advice to vulnerable Brits who find the heat uncomfortable or even unsafe. Most homes in the UK do not have air conditioning, so keeping them cool can be difficult.
But there’s a good rule of thumb to follow when it comes to your curtains and blinds. According to the Red Cross, sun shining through a window can quickly heat your home.
Therefore, it is important to keep your curtains closed during the day. This will prevent sunlight from heating your home while you try to keep it cool.
This, combined with keeping windows closed in the late morning and afternoon, means your home should stay nice and cool, provide a good escape from hot weather, and be a place where you can get a good night’s sleep.
Sunday will be a hot day for much of the UK (Image: WXCharts)
“Make sure to close windows during the day to protect from direct sunlight, such as blinds, curtains or exterior blinds,” the advice reads. “If you don’t have anything to block the sun, hanging sheets or towels should have a similar effect.”
Households also need to avoid producing more heat. This means that you should avoid cooking using an oven or stove when trying to keep your home cool, as this will work against you.
Additionally, using dishwashers and washing machines during the day when the weather is hot can make homes even hotter, so it’s best to use these appliances wisely.
The Met Office has identified nine specific areas in the south and south-east of England (including Surrey, Kent, Hampshire and Berkshire) that will experience a significant temperature rise of 30 degrees on Sunday. High pressure will dominate the UK weather, providing mostly fair and calm conditions for the holiday weekend.
Additionally, the Met Office has revealed that the heat will continue into next week, potentially matching official heatwave criteria, as the UK experiences its hottest days of the year. This means that households need to get used to following advice on keeping their homes cool.
The NHS says many people are at risk during the heatwave, including people aged 75 and over, people with serious or long-term illnesses including heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease or some mental health problems, and people taking medicines that make their body react sensitively to heat.
