Brits warned not to use their electric fans in heatwave

Britain is preparing for potentially record-shattering temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday. With hundreds of schools shutting their doors and widespread disruption anticipated on public transport, a rare red weather warning for extreme heat will come into effect across parts of England and Wales from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm the following evening.

Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 40C, beating the current June all-time record of 35.6C, set in 1976. Many are left wondering how they will manage in such sweltering conditions. Most people are instinctively turning to electric fans in a bid to stay cool. However, this may not be the wisest course of action, reports the Mirror.

Electric fans do not actually lower a room’s temperature; they simply circulate the existing air.

So while having one directed at you may feel pleasant, the room itself remains just as hot as before. The government’s own heatwave plan confirms that electric fans only function effectively when temperatures remain below 35C.

Britain is ill-prepared to handle soaring mercury levels. Homes across the country are typically built to retain warmth, featuring heavy-duty bricks, insulation, double or triple glazing, and thick roof tiles.

Furthermore, the vast majority of UK properties have no air conditioning whatsoever.

Nevertheless, there are measures you can take to tackle the heat at home. The government has put forward a number of recommendations to help the public get through the coming days:

With Met Office forecasters having issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday.

This is in response to the extreme heat and humidity a red heat health alert has also been issued across England, signalling “a risk to life for even the healthy population”.

It’s crucial to check in on relatives, friends and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to falling ill, and if you find yourself at greater risk, encourage them to reciprocate the gesture.