Today is set to be the hottest day of the year so far, meaning many of you may be scrambling for ways to stay cool.
Temperatures across the UK are expected to reach extreme highs, with Greater Manchester peaking at 27C for the majority of the afternoon. Because Brits are not often used to the hot weather, it's always important to prepare in advance to avoid any issues.
Problems such as heat stroke and sunburn are very common during this time of year, but can often be mitigated by keeping cool. Blinds specialist Hillarys has provided some top tips and tricks to stay cool during a heatwave which all include some very simple techniques to avoid any complications from the scorching sun.
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Lucy Askew, spokesperson for Hillarys said: “With the English weather being so unpredictable, we are never fully ready for when a big heatwave hits. These quick tips will help keep you cool whilst you are at home and you won’t need to spend any money doing it.”
Block out sunlight
If your house is susceptible to letting in direct sunlight, especially during the afternoon period, it may be a good idea to block it and reduce temperatures. Curtains, shutters and blinds should be closed so as to stop any sunbeams from finding their way into your home, helping to keep internal temperatures that little bit cooler.
Stay hydrated
While staying hydrated is a good idea for any time of the year, it's especially important during a heatwave. Make sure your fridge is stocked up with bottled water while also keeping some ice blocks in the freezer.
Being dehydrated during a heatwave can lead to some serious issues such as heat stroke, headaches and migraines.
Have warm showers
Despite popular belief, it is more beneficial to have a warm shower instead of a cold one during a heatwave. This is because a freezing shower closes the skin's pores and increases the body's temperature.
Drink tea or coffee
Many of you may have heard the old saying "a hot drink on a hot day" but this does actually have some benefits. A warm drink will raise the body's core temperature which makes the blood rush to the skin, resulting in a person sweating and cooling off more.
Place wrists and ankles in cold water
The body is covered in special pressure points which, if cooled down will chill the rest of the body quickly. Dipping just your wrists and ankles in cold water means you don't have to go through the trouble of dipping your whole body in the bath.
Read more of today's top stories from the Manchester Evening News here
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