To cool the house, Jay Virdee has hung thermal foil blankets behind the blinds on her windows. This helped reflect heat and maintain a comfortable temperature of 26.3C inside the house, he said. “It’s a temporary solution to something that we’re probably going to face in the long term here,” Virdee told Global News.
Read more: UK records highest temperature ever as extreme heat grips Europe
The intense heat is forcing residents like Virdee to get creative in a country ill-prepared for such extremes. Jay Virdee has come up with an affordable and recyclable solution to his heat problems. Photo provided Those with access to air conditioning had an easier time on Tuesday. Story continues below ad Tom Elliott said he was going to the office because it’s “nice and cool”. “I ride a bike instead of taking the subway,” he told The Associated Press after swimming.
Read more: Extreme heat is burning Europe. How should Canadians prepare for summer travel?
Before Tuesday, the highest temperature recorded in Britain was 38.7 C (101.7 F), which occurred in 2019. By later afternoon, 29 places in the UK had broken the record. With mercury levels still rising in many places, Virdee, who has a lung disease and recently recovered from COVID-19, is worried about her health. “If you’re going to have a long summer, then you have to find a way to acclimate to that,” he said. 3:52 Europe heat wave to continue next week, likely to cause deaths: WMO Europe heat wave to continue next week, likely to cause deaths: WMO In addition to the emergency foil attack, which several of Virdee’s friends and family members have used, she and her parents are making adjustments in the kitchen. Trending Stories
Canadian animal shelters face ‘perfect storm’ as more pets are surrendered Joe Rogan Says Canada Is ‘Communist’, Calls Justin Trudeau ‘Rough Guy’
Story continues below ad They eat cold salads, stay hydrated and avoid using the stove and microwave. And her mom who loves cooking does it outdoors at night so the house doesn’t get too hot. “We slept through most of the heat and then worked during the cooler hours,” he said. For their little Chihuahua, it was an earlier than usual 5am morning walk and playtime. Otherwise, they feed him cold puppy milk and treats in the fridge “He really wants to play and we know it’s probably not safe to allow him to run a lot right now.” Any type of physical activity adds heat to the body, so it’s wise to limit exercise or physical activity during a heat wave, said Glen Kenny, professor and research chair in human environmental physiology at the University of Ottawa. 🌡️ For the first time, there was a temporary exceedance of 40 Celsius in the UK London Heathrow reported a temperature of 40.2°C at 12:50 today 📈 Temperatures are still rising in many places so remember to stay #WeatherAware ⚠️#heatwave #heatwave2022 pic.twitter.com/GLxcR6gjZX — Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2022 Story continues below ad The UK Health Safety Authority (UKHSA) is urging residents to stay cool indoors by closing curtains in sun-facing rooms, reminding them that it can be cooler outdoors than indoors. It is also recommended to avoid the sun between 11 A.M. and 3 p.m., when UV rays are strongest. And if you must go outside in the heat, “walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat,” the national agency said on its website. Very hot weather is forecast today. Please be aware of people who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated. Our blog has more info: #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/GcQjmrTEzd — UK Health Safety Agency (@UKHSA) July 18, 2022 In some schools, children soak their feet in bathtubs to stay cool during class. Virdee has also seen some friends putting their clothes and sheets in the fridge. Story continues below ad Others turn to nature. “My friend told me that she uses a lot of plants in front of her office to bring in the sunlight naturally,” Virdee said. Meanwhile, her neighbor has moved his car under a huge tree as a solution. While older adults and those with chronic conditions are most vulnerable, heat-related stress can also affect youth and children, Kenny said. Signs of heat stress can include headaches, thirst, fatigue and dizziness, and feeling sick, irritable, disoriented and hopeless, he said. — with files from The Associated Press © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
