UK households urged to close shutters from Monday

Temperatures this week are set to soar this week as a mini heatwave sweeps across the UK. According to maps from WXCharts.com , some parts of the country could reach as high as 22C during the first week of May.

From Scotland to Cornwall, the UK will bask in temperatures ranging from 14C to 22C with London being the warmest. Although warm weather after a long winter will be a welcome reprieve, trying to sleep as the mercury creeps higher can be tricky. As summer approaches, many people are likely dreading the hot, humid nights that leave you tossing and turning. If you want to get the best rest you can, there are a couple of things you can try.

Sleepy Piglet’s bed expert, Bill Parkinson, has shared his top tips to “heat-proof” your spaces before temperatures rise. His first recommendation is to use what he calls the “Mediterranean method”.

He said: “You will notice in many Mediterranean countries that homes are set up to stay cool naturally. During the day, shutters or thick blackout curtains are used to create a ‘shade trapping’ effect – helping to keep cooler air inside – then in the evening everything gets opened up again to let air move through. There is a really good reason for that. Letting air in when it is cooler outside is what helps create a proper cross-breeze effect.

“The cross-breeze method works best when you create a clear draught by opening windows on opposite sides of your home or room, so cooler air can easily flow in and push warmer air out. That constant movement of air can make a real difference to how the room feels at night.”

His second tip is to limit electronics in the bedroom. Things like laptops and televisions can actually emit heat and raise the temperature in your bedrooms.

Bill said: “Switching these off an hour or two before bed can help the room cool down properly; if possible, keeping them out of the bedroom altogether will help create a more analogue setup, too. Even charging your phone in a naturally cooler part of the house can make all the difference and will also help you reduce your screen time in the evening, allowing you to fully switch off before bed.”

Bill also recommends cooling your bed down before you get into it. In warmer weather, you can freeze a hot water bottle and put it in your bed to lower the temperature.

Bill added: “If your bed is prone to retaining heat, you can also try adding a cooling mattress topper. These are designed with temperature-regulating materials that help stop you from overheating.

“It is a great way to upgrade your sleep setup if you’re happy to spend money finding a great solution, and you will feel the difference almost instantly. Combining these quick fixes can really help you beat the heat and get a much better night’s sleep.”

If you do choose to freeze a hot water bottle, ensure that you do not use it again in the winter for heat, as freezing it can degrade the rubber and using it with hot water could lead to burns.

It’s also important to only fill the bottle two-thirds with water, as it will expand when frozen.