Australian Author Offers 40C Heatwave Tips as Britain Braces for Record Temperatures
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 24
Australian Author Offers 40C Heatwave Tips as Britain Braces for Record Temperatures
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 24
Summary
Britain could break temperature records this week, prompting an Australian author to lay out practical heatwave advice drawn from life in summers that regularly top 40C.
Key steps focus on limiting indoor heat gain and boosting cooling naturally: shut curtains before rooms heat up, open windows at night for cross-breezes, and use fans carefully—effective below 35C to 40C, but risky above that.
The guidance also stresses behavior changes: exercise early, wear loose cotton or linen, drink at least 2.1 to 2.5 litres of fluid, seek shade between 11am and 3pm, and use cold water to lower body temperature.
Prof Ollie Jay of the University of Sydney said adaptation—not different bodies—explains why Australians cope better, while warning children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant people and those with chronic illness face higher heat risks.
If homes stay above 28C even with blinds shut and windows opened overnight, the article says air conditioning or evaporative coolers may be necessary, underscoring how hotter summers are reshaping life as the climate crisis intensifies.