Households in England told to shut curtains and blinds until Thursday

Everyone desperately trying to keep their houses cool in the current scorching hot weather is being urged to shut their curtains and blinds during the daytime from now until Thursday.

The Met Office is now forecasting temperatures of 34C on Monday, 28C on Tuesday and 26C on Wednesday as hot weather returns in earnest following a brief respite.

It will only cool again on Thursday and Friday, when the temperature settles at a much more manageable 24-23C.

Houses in most of Britain are not built well for heat, instead being designed to trap warmth and retain it during cold winters. As a result, in summer our households can become overly hot, as people struggle desperately to try to cool them down again.

And government advice about hot weather says that very warm temperatures inside your house can even put your health at risk, including from heat stroke or dehydration.

One piece of advice for cooling your house down, first issued by the UK Health Security Agency, say households should close their curtains and blinds during hot weather especially windows which face the sun.

Energy firm OVO Energy also backs the tip.

OVO says: "Tempting as it is to fling open the windows at the first sign of summer, it's not actually the best idea. To keep your house cool, you need to keep the hot air out.

"This means keeping windows closed during the day – particularly south-facing windows. Keep curtains, blinds and windows shut when the sun is shining directly on them, and when you’re out. Try opening windows on the most shaded side of your home, to avoid sunlight and hot air getting in."

Direct sunlight on windows causes a rapid increase in house temperature. The phenomenon is effectively the 'greenhouse effect' observed in Earth's Ozone layer, which intensifies the heat through glass windows on houses as it does within greenhouses.

As a result, if you find sunlight streaming through any window, the easiest solution would be to draw the curtains or shut the blinds.

The complete guidance from the UKHSA advises people to avoid sun exposure during the day's hottest hours - between 11 am to 3 pm.

The UKHSA adds: "If you're planning on physical activities like exercising or walking the dog, it's advised to arrange them during cooler parts of the day like the morning or evening."

"Keep your home cool by shutting windows and drawing curtains in rooms that are exposed to the sun."

"When venturing outdoors, ensure you're appropriately dressed with suitable headgear and sunglasses, seek out shade where possible and apply sun cream."

"Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and try to limit your alcohol consumption."

"Check up on family members, friends and neighbours who may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. If you fall into this category, ask them to do the same for you."

"Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and know what actions to take if you or someone else exhibits these signs."

Other advice suggests closing windows that face the sun, and opening windows in the shade. Closing windows in the hottest times of day, and then reopening at night when it's cooler, will also help.