The United Kingdom is built for damp skies and chilly winters, not prolonged periods of 30°C+ heat. As heatwaves are becoming more common, more intense, and more dangerous and with homes trapping heat, public transport becomes stifling, and many workplaces remain inadequately climate controlled. During extreme temperatures, staying cool is not just about comfort, it is about health and safety.
While employers in the UK have legal obligations to provide “reasonable” working conditions, there is currently no maximum legal working temperature. That gap in the law is becoming harder to justify as heatwaves grow more severe.
How to keep your home cool
Block heat before it gets inside
The biggest mistake many people make is opening windows when it’s hot outside. During the hottest hours of the day, keep windows, curtains, and blinds closed. Blackout curtains or reflective blinds can dramatically reduce indoor temperatures.
Open windows late at night and early in the morning when outside air is cooler than indoor temperatures. Creating a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of the home can help flush out trapped heat.
In one storey homes venting your loft by opening the hatch on an evening whilst you have windows and doors open can help reduce the heat trapped inside preventing it from heating your home during the night.
Switch off heat sources
Ovens, tumble dryers, gaming PCs, TVs and even some lighting add unnecessary heat. Avoid using these during peak heat hours of 11am-3pm. Switch them off at the plug rather than leaving on standby. Replace halogen bulbs with LEDs. As for cooking, if you want a hot meal opt for microwaving or air-frying instead of ovens to reduce heat output or cook outdoors if you can. Every small reduction helps.
Use fans properly
Fans do not lower room temperature, but they help sweat evaporate and cool the body. Place a bowl of ice or frozen water bottles in front of a fan for a temporary cooling effect but beware of indoor humidity levels. High humidity makes it harder to sweat. A hygrometer can help you keep an eye on humidity levels. It should sit around 40-50%
At night, position fans near windows. You can opt to pull air in from one side of your home with one fan facing inwards and use another to push the hot air out facing outwards. This speeds up the cross-breeze effect.
Keep bedrooms as cool as possible
Sleeping in extreme heat can quickly lead to exhaustion and dehydration. Useful tricks include:
- Using lightweight cotton or bamboo bedding
- Chilling pillowcases briefly in the freezer
- Sleeping on lower floors where heat rises less
- Taking a lukewarm shower before bed
Avoid very cold showers, which can cause the body to retain heat afterward.
How to keep yourself cool
Hydration matters
Drink water regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty. Heat exhaustion can creep up gradually. Alcohol and excessive caffeine can worsen dehydration.
Foods with high water content such as watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, and oranges can also help maintain hydration.
Electrolytes are also very important. When you increase water intake you will sweat out necessary salts you need. Rehydration sachets or electrolyte drinks can help combat this.
Dress appropriately
Loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing helps the body regulate temperature. Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen are usually more breathable than synthetic materials.
If outdoors, wear a hat and use sunscreen. UK sun can still cause serious burns during prolonged exposure.
Avoid Peak Heat Hours
If possible, avoid strenuous activity between 11am and 3pm, when temperatures are often the highest. Exercise early in the morning or later in the evening instead. Especially if you are walking a dog. Don’t forget to do the 7 second check with the back of your hand on tarmac to make sure it’s cool enough for your dog’s paws.
Older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with dysautonomia, heart or respiratory conditions should take extra care during extreme heat.
Recognise heat exhaustion
Warning signs include:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Heavy sweating
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fatigue
If symptoms worsen into confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizures, this may indicate heatstroke which is a medical emergency requiring immediate help.
The workplace problem the UK has still not solved
One of the least discussed aspects of UK heatwaves is what happens at work.
Under current UK regulations, employers must keep workplace temperatures “reasonable”. However, unlike minimum workplace temperatures, there is no legal maximum temperature at which work must stop.
That means employees can still be expected to work in overheated offices, warehouses, kitchens, factories, classrooms, or public transport environments even when temperatures become hazardous to health.
Trade unions and campaigners have repeatedly argued that this is outdated. The UK’s climate is changing faster than employment law is adapting. What may once have been considered rare “hot weather” is increasingly a recurring public health risk.
Follow Spain
Countries such as Spain already have stronger heat protections for workers during extreme weather. The UK should consider following its lead on this and implement a defined maximum workplace temperature alongside mandatory cooling measures and ventilation standards. I for one am all for midday siestas.
There needs to be greater flexibility for remote working during heatwaves and for those working outdoors or in manual jobs stronger protections should be standard. All workplaces should have heat-risk assessments similar to other workplace hazards.
Without reform, many workers remain vulnerable during periods of extreme heat, particularly in sectors where taking breaks or cooling down is difficult.
Heatwaves are no longer exceptional
The old idea that “Britain never gets that hot” no longer reflects reality. Heatwaves are becoming part of normal summer life, and homes, infrastructure, and employment law need to catch up.
Until they do, staying safe during extreme heat will depend heavily on personal preparation, community awareness, and employers willing to go beyond the bare minimum required by law.
Stay safe everyone.
