Brits warned not to use electric fans as heatwave soars to 40C | Weather | News
England will face record-breaking temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday, forcing hundreds of schools to close and public transport in chaos. A rare red weather warning is also currently in place for parts of England and Wales from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm the following day.
Temperatures are expected to reach 40°C, surpassing the all-time record of 35.6°C set in June in 1976. This leaves almost everyone wondering how they will cope with extreme heat. Most people will probably turn to their trusty electric fans. But this might not be the wisest decision.
Contrary to what we think, electric fans do not actually reduce the temperature of the room. They circulate the air so that although it may feel refreshing to have air blowing directly at you, the room remains as warm as before.
The government’s own heatwave plan states that electric fans are only effective at temperatures below 35C.
The UK government’s advice from the UK Health Security Agency says: “Homes can overheat and become uncomfortable in hot weather, especially when trying to sleep.
“…Use electric fans if the air temperature is below 35°C, but do not point the fan directly at your body, as this can cause dehydration.”
Unfortunately, the UK is not equipped to cope with rapidly rising temperatures. They are often designed to retain heat using heavy-duty bricks, insulation, double or triple glazing and thick roof tiles. Moreover, most homes in the UK do not have an air conditioning unit.
But there are many ways to cope with the heat at home. The government has shared several recommendations to help households get through the next few days:
In addition to the Met Office’s red weather warning, the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a red heat health warning stating that conditions are a “risk to life even for the healthy population”.
It’s vital to check on your family, friends and neighbors, especially those at high risk of getting sick. If you are at higher risk, you should ask your loved ones and relatives to do the same for you.
