UK heatwave advice as boffins say we should turn our homes into cool ‘caves’

Boffins have responded to the amber heat health alerts across the UK this weekend by telling us to turn our homes into “caves” to cool down using a few simple tips

Melting Brits can beat the blistering heat by turning their homes into “caves” during this weekend’s “killer” heatwave.

The UK Health Security Agency has upgraded heat health alerts to amber for large parts of the UK – the east and west Midlands, London, the east of England and the south east and south west – until 9am on Monday.

Amber means there is likely to be a significant impact on health and social care services due to high temperatures, including a potential rise in deaths among those over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions.

But boffins say the answer could be closing all windows, curtains and blinds before sunup to keep homes cool and comfortable like the dingy grotto dwellings of our ancient ancestors.

The British Blind and Shutter Association said stopping the sun’s powerful UV rays from entering the home, and only opening up after sundown, was the best way for frazzled Brits to shield from the punishing 36C heat.

BBSA president Justin Allen said: “Shading has been used for centuries to help keep us cool – it’s nothing new.

“It goes hand in hand with ventilation strategies to remove warm air from our homes, keeping internal temperatures at comfortable levels to support our health and wellbeing.”

Mr Allen added: “As the weather warms up, remember to keep windows, blinds and shutters closed during the day to help reduce overheating in your home.

“Open them at night for cooling, and if possible, open windows on different sides of the building to get good air flow.”

A study conducted by the association at a block of London flats found the “operative temperature” that we feel hit 47.5C in a room without shading.

But when the “caveman method” was followed, the space was a whopping 40% cooler.

Joseph Holman, CEO of door and window company Green Doors, said: “The idea for the caveman method came about while I was visiting Cappadocia in Turkey with my fiancée.

“We were staying at all these little cave hotels.

“They weren’t underground, they were in the side of mountains.

“It was the strangest thing, it was boiling hot outside, but really, really cold inside, even though there was no air-conditioning.

“These places either had no windows or only a small window, so there was little or no natural heat entering the room.”

Luton-based Mr Holman replicated the caveman method at home in the UK with solar reflective stickers and thermal blinds.

He said: “We found that we were able to massively reduce the heat coming through our windows in this way.”

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.