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St Albans Weather

Sky News7 hours ago

5 Day Forecast
Today Wednesday 18th June
27°C 80°F
15°C 59°F
Chance of rain 4% Thu Thursday 19th June
29°C 84°F
16°C 60°F Fri Friday 20th June
26°C 80°F
17°C 62°F Sat Saturday 21st June
29°C 84°F
18°C 64°F Sun Sunday 22nd June
25°C 77°F
15°C 58°F

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Can't sleep in the heat? 3 tried-and-tested hacks to help you nod off comfortably as temperatures soar
Can't sleep in the heat? 3 tried-and-tested hacks to help you nod off comfortably as temperatures soar

Daily Mail​

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Can't sleep in the heat? 3 tried-and-tested hacks to help you nod off comfortably as temperatures soar

Staying cool and comfortable during a heatwave is no mean feat, particularly in the UK, where we're so much less equipped than other regions. Given we rarely experience such scorching heat, the majority of us don't have air-con units, and since a decent fan can cost upwards of £100 (and, let's be real, won't be needed for 50 weeks of the year), lots of people are stuck with one that feels like it's simply churning out stale warm air. While we can function through the day – albeit a bit slower and sweatier than usual – it's at nighttime that the real heatwave discomfort kicks in. There are few worse feelings than tossing and turning, desperately flipping your pillow and counting down the hours, knowing you're going to feel dreadful the coming morning. But that needn't be your hot-weather fate. We've compiled a list of three handy hacks for staying cool during balmy nights that'll have you thinking: 'How haven't I thought of that before?' Prepare to wake up feeling rested, refreshed and just a little bit smug. Hang a wet sheet in front of your window There's a lot of debate about whether windows and curtains should be open or closed to keep your place cool in the summer. But according to Dreams Sleep Expert, Sammy Margo, there's a simple answer. 'Dampen a sheet with cold water, and then hang it in front of an open window,' Margo advises. 'The breeze blows the sheet and the cold water slowly evaporates, cooling down your room.' Invest in a pet cooling mat Anyone with a furry friend will know just how important it is to keep them cool when hot weather strikes. That's why supermarket shelves are filled with gel cooling pads, usually around £5, that you pop in the freezer and then place on your pet's bed for them to lie on. However, one savvy BBC Radio 2 listener texted into the show and pointed out the pet coolers work just as well when used in human beds. And a quick scour of the internet shows it's true: plenty of people cool the gel pads during the day, then place them underneath their fitted sheet before getting into bed. It's important you opt for a specially designed gel pad (like the pet versions available in supermarkets) rather than trying to replicate it with a wet towel or the like. That's because the latter will start to melt and create a wet, uncomfortable bed, while the former is designed to stay cool for longer and gradually warm without leaking moisture. Power up your fan with a bowl of ice It's a common complaint that desk fans just blow out warm air. But there's a quick (and easy) way to make dusty old units instantly more effective. Either buy a bag of ice or freeze a tray of cubes, then tip them into a bowl and place it in front of your fan. According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, 'as the air passes over the ice, it will be chilled and will circulate refreshingly cold air around the room'.

Office rights explained: What temperature is too hot to work in?
Office rights explained: What temperature is too hot to work in?

The Sun

time5 hours ago

  • The Sun

Office rights explained: What temperature is too hot to work in?

THE UK is basking in glorious sunshine with temperatures set to peak at over 30 degrees Celsius in parts. The Met Office has said a heatwave is "likely" this weekend with sunshine continuing into next week. But what are your rights when it comes to working during hot weather? We explain everything you need to know below. What rights do I have if it's too hot in the office? There's no minimum or maximum temperature for offices or other places of work currently defined in law. Employers have to make sure conditions are "reasonable" - but that definition is obviously open to interpretation. John Kushnick, legal operations director at National Accident Helpline said: "Temperatures in the workplace are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which place a legal obligation on employers to provide a 'reasonable' temperature in the workplace. "They suggest that the minimum temperature in a workplace should be at least 16°C, or if the work involves rigorous physical exertion, it can be 13°C. "Unfortunately, there are no laws which specifically state that workers can stop working if the temperature gets too hot or cold." The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has previously suggested bosses should ensure their workers have access to water and monitor their wellbeing in hot weather. Typical symptoms of heat stress are: An inability to concentrate Muscle cramps Heat rash Severe thirst - a late symptom of heat stress Fainting Heat exhaustion - fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin Heat stroke - hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness. This is the most severe disorder and can result in death if not detected at an early stage However, if enough members of staff complain about working conditions, bosses should carry out a risk assessment. The HSE says: 'If a significant number of employees are complaining about thermal discomfort, your employer should carry out a risk assessment, and act on the results of that assessment.' John adds: "If an employee feels uncomfortable, then they should speak to their employer as they are obliged to act reasonably and provide a safe working environment." If you're a vulnerable staff member - including being menopausal or pregnant - you should take this into account when deciding on a plan of action. You may not get to work from home, though. Instead, the business might provide fans, relax dress codes, turn up the air conditioning, or consider other measures to make things more comfortable. What are the temperature recommendations? The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends the following temperatures for different working areas: Heavy work in factories: 13°C Light work in factories: 16°C Hospital wards and shops: 18°C Offices and dining rooms: 20°C What are my rights if I need to take public transport? Each transport company sets its own policies - and like with offices, there's no law about temperatures during a heatwave. This can mean that travellers face extremely high temperatures when out and about. For example, in 2018, Londoners complained of 42C temperatures on the Tube. Transport for London however has since said all Tubes will be air-conditioned by 2030. If you are travelling on public transport, make sure you bring a bottle of water with you, and if possible, wear cool, loose, and light clothing. People are sharing their best "air con" hacks to keep cool in the heatwave and all you need is a bottle of water. If you're sat at work wincing in pain at sunburn caught over the weekend, here's five ways to soothe it. Keeping safe in the sun Wear clothes and sunglasses that provide sun protection The NHS website recommends wearing a hat that that shades the face, neck and ears and breathable fabrics that do not let the sunlight through. Drink water Staying hydrated in the warmer weather is also important. Be sure to carry a water bottle with you if you are travelling and taking sips throughout the day. Use suncream According to the NHS webiste, adults should aim to apply around 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body. If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is not as effective If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.

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