Hot weather and “heatwave” mean very different things depending on where you live. In the UK, anything above 25°C (77°F) triggers dramatic red weather maps on the news and wall-to-wall heatwave coverage – temperatures that most of southern Europe would consider a pleasant summer’s day.
Meanwhile, parts of Spain, Portugal, and the wider Mediterranean are regularly hitting genuinely dangerous temperatures in the high 30s and 40s Celsius (100°F+), with wildfires becoming an increasingly common feature of summer in those regions.
In the USA, extreme heat is a very real and serious issue in many states. I’ve visited Las Vegas, where summer temperatures regularly reach the high 40s°C, with the city’s all-time record almost touching 50°C (120°F/48.9°C) – a level of heat that is genuinely dangerous and requires serious preparation. The southern states, Arizona, and parts of California face similarly intense conditions every summer.
In summer 2026, a severe heatwave struck North America from late June, with temperature records broken in several major US and Canadian cities. Billings, Montana hit 111°F (43.9°C), its hottest day ever, while Salt Lake City, Utah also broke its all-time record at 109°F. A heat dome over the eastern US and Canada caused widespread power outages, strained public services, and resulted in at least 44 deaths.
Wildfires raged across California, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Minnesota and Idaho. Heavy smoke from over 100 wildfires in Canada gave Toronto the worst air quality in the world, with pollution pushing south into New York City. A second heat dome then formed over the western half of the continent. Authorities advised people to stay indoors to avoid both the extreme heat and the dangerous air quality.
My sister once visited the USA as a teenager for the entire summer holidays, and it wasn’t just the heat that made it unbearable – it was the humidity. She and her friend spent most of their days seeking air-conditioned indoor spaces because the combination of heat and humidity made being outside almost impossible. Humidity can make even moderate temperatures feel far worse than the thermometer suggests.
We have family in the Andalusian mountain range in Spain and in Portugal, and in recent years the wildfires near their areas have been a sobering reminder that summer heat can be genuinely serious. But even in the UK, where houses are built for cold and rain rather than heat, a prolonged hot spell can be uncomfortable, disruptive, and for vulnerable people genuinely dangerous.
Whether you’re dealing with a British “heatwave” of 28°C (82°F) or facing genuine extreme heat of 40°C+ (104°F+) in the US, southern Europe, or elsewhere, here are practical heatwave tips for staying cool, safe, and healthy.
What is a heatwave?
A heatwave is generally defined as a period that lasts at least three days where temperatures remain unusually high both day and night, with no real cool-down overnight. What counts as unusual varies by location – in the UK, 25°C (77°F)+ for three or more days is a heatwave, while in other countries the threshold is much higher.
The UK’s particular problem is that homes here are designed to retain heat, not release it. Thick walls, double glazing, and central heating systems that are excellent in winter become less helpful in a sustained hot spell – and most British homes don’t have air conditioning.
Europe is breaking record after record with unprecedented temperatures, disrupting how people eat, work, and navigate daily life. Heat waves have also started lasting longer and intensifying in many parts of the world.
In 2023, the Mediterranean had record-high average temperatures, southern China reached up to 104°F (40°C), and parts of France hit 107°F (41.6°C). Mortality rates are rising for heat-related events, particularly for those with less access to cooling infrastructure. Here’s how to stay safe.
1. Stay hydrated
The most important heatwave tip is simply to drink enough water. By the time you feel thirsty in heat, you’re already dehydrated – so drink regularly throughout the day rather than waiting.
Water is always the best choice. Sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol are among those can dehydrate you rather than helping. While an ice-cold beer might seem appealing in the sun, it’s working against you.
Keep a water bottle with you at all times. If plain water doesn’t appeal, think about improving the taste of your water – adding lemon, cucumber, or mint makes it much easier to drink enough throughout a hot day.
This applies to children and pets too. Young children and animals can dehydrate quickly and may not communicate thirst clearly, so regular drinks throughout the day are essential.
2. Keep your home as cool as possible
Most UK homes don’t have air conditioning, so here’s how to keep a room or house cool without it.
Keep windows and blinds closed during the day. Hot air comes in through open windows when it’s hotter outside than in. Close curtains and blinds on sunny-facing windows to block the heat. Open windows in the evening once outside temperature drops below indoor temperature. This is one of the most effective things you can do to keep your bedroom comfortable in hot weather.
Open loft hatches at night. Hot air rises, so opening internal loft hatches in the evening helps it escape upward and out – a surprisingly effective trick that costs nothing.
Use fans strategically. Fans don’t cool the air, but they create a wind chill effect that makes you feel cooler. Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to cool the air slightly. A fan facing outward in a window in the evening helps draw hot air out.
Think about home upgrades. A smart thermostat can save 10% on heating and cooling every year by automatically accounting for outdoor temperatures. There are also some great eco-friendly ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency that reduce heat build-up year-round.
Other practical tips: wear cool, loose clothing, take cool showers, and use cold water on pulse points – wrists and the back of your neck cool you down quickly. Ground floor rooms tend to stay cooler than upper floors.
If none of this is possible at home, head somewhere air-conditioned – a library, shopping centre, or community centre can provide real relief during the hottest part of the day.
3. Limit outdoor activity during peak heat
In genuine heat, the hours between 11am and 3pm are when the sun is strongest. Plan outdoor activities for the morning or evening instead where possible.
If you do need to be outside, wear light-coloured, loose, breathable clothing, apply high-factor sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses, and stay in shade where you can. If your work involves being outside in hot weather, talk to your employer about adapting working arrangements.
Walking is one of the best ways to stay active and in summer, timing it right makes it genuinely pleasant. Run or walk early in the morning or after sunset rather than during peak heat. Listen to your body, reduce intensity, and prioritise hydration.
You can also explore how to be a local advocate for better heat safety measures in your community.
4. Never leave people or animals in a parked car
A parked car in hot weather becomes dangerously hot within minutes – far hotter than the outside temperature. Leaving a child, a vulnerable adult, or an animal in a parked car can be fatal, and it happens every single summer.
If you see a child or animal in obvious distress in a parked car, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) immediately. This is a genuine emergency – don’t wait.
For dogs: if the pavement feels too hot to hold your hand against for five seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Walk dogs early in the morning or after sunset, take water with you, and watch for signs of overheating – excessive panting, drooling, or collapse.
If you’re travelling with your family in hot weather, extra planning around hydration and car journey timing makes a real difference.
5. Check on vulnerable people
Elderly people, young children, those with chronic health conditions, and pregnant people are all more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
During prolonged hot spells, check in on neighbours, relatives, and friends who might be struggling. Supporting elderly loved ones through a heatwave can be as simple as a daily phone call to remind them to drink water and stay cool.
If someone seems confused, unusually lethargic, stops sweating despite the heat, or develops other worrying symptoms, treat it as a medical emergency and call 999 or 911.
6. Sleeping in hot weather
Sleeping when it’s hot is one of the most complained-about aspects of a heatwave, particularly in the UK where houses retain heat overnight. These natural sleeping remedies can help alongside the practical steps below:
- Keep bedroom curtains or blinds closed all day to prevent the room heating up
- Open windows once the outside air is cooler than indoors – typically after 9-10pm in UK summers
- Use lighter bedding – a cotton sheet rather than a duvet
- A cool (not cold) shower before bed helps lower your body temperature
- Keep a glass of water by the bed
- A small fan in the bedroom creates enough air movement without directly blowing on you all night
7. Know the signs of heat-related illness
Heat exhaustion – heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, pale skin. Move the person somewhere cool, give them water to sip, and have them lie down with legs slightly elevated. Most people recover with rest and fluids.
Heat stroke – a medical emergency. Symptoms include a very high body temperature, hot and dry skin, rapid pulse, confusion, and possible loss of consciousness. Call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) immediately.
The best thing you can do is prevent it from getting this far by staying hydrated and avoiding the hottest parts of the day. Keeping your immune system in good shape also helps your body cope better with heat stress.
Hot weather doesn’t have to be a health risk with a bit of preparation. Stay well hydrated, keep as cool as possible, avoid the peak heat of the day, and look out for the people and animals around you. Whether it’s a UK “heatwave” of 27°C (80°F) or a genuinely extreme 40°C+ (104°F+) in southern Europe or the US, the same heatwave advice applies.
For more on staying healthy through seasonal changes, tips for a healthier happier winter and how to get a good night’s sleep are both worth a read.
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