This long, hot summer has had us all frantically searching the best heatwave hacks, tips and tricks for staying cool – especially for those who work from home and don't have the luxury of an air-conditioned office.
Even for those who do, there are still sweltering nights to contend with. The aim is to keep the house as cool as possible, and for many that involves keeping curtains closed, keeping heat generators like lamps and ovens turned off, and investing in a good-quality fan.
There has also been a surge in more unusual techniques for keeping the heat at bay, with everything from putting tinfoil on windows to using mirrors to redirect heat being advised online.
"When temperatures soar, it's understandable that homeowners and renters look for quick, budget-friendly ways to stay cool or protect their homes," Liz Hunter, director at MoneyExpert, explains.
However, some popular heatwave hacks can unintentionally increase the risk of damage and, in some cases, could affect the outcome of an insurance claim if reasonable precautions haven't been taken.
"If a viral hack causes an avoidable fire or water leak, or leaves your windows open and unattended, it can also void your contents insurance, leaving all your personal belongings completely unprotected."
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With the UK in the midst of (yet another) heatwave this week, these are the viral heatwave hacks to exercise with caution – or safer yet, avoid completely.
Leaving windows open all day
Leaving windows open all day might make sense when the house feels stifling, but if you do so while sleeping (unfortunately even on a hot night!) or when you pop out, it puts you at risk of burglary.
"Most home contents insurance policies require policyholders to take reasonable steps to secure their property, meaning if their home was easily accessible via an open window, the insurer will not cover what was stolen," Liz explains.
To avoid this, make sure all windows are locked when you're not around to supervise and opt for a fan to keep your home cool instead.
Putting a wet towel on your fan
A viral TikTok trend involves placing a wet, cool towel on an electric fan to create a DIY air conditioner without having to shell out.
However, water and electricity definitely do not mix – and following this trend could create a real hazard.
"Combining water or dripping moisture directly with a plug-in appliance creates a serious fire and short-circuit hazard," Liz explains. "If water spills into electrical components and causes a fire, your insurer can reject the claim under 'preventable misuse' for failing to take basic care of your property."
Keep fans away from water or damp surfaces to stay safe.
Putting kitchen foil on windows
Metallic panels are commonly used to deflect sun away from car windows, but it's not as simple as applying this theory to houses using tin foil.
"Taping tin foil or cheap reflective film to windows is a popular social media hack for blocking out heatwave sun, but it can actually create thermal stress, which can crack your double glazing," Liz explains.
"Insurers treat this as self-inflicted DIY damage rather than an accident, meaning you will have to pay for the replacement out of your own pocket. Skip the foil and simply draw your blinds or curtains to block out the harsh sun instead."
Using glass or mirrors to reflect sunlight
Now this one feels quite obvious, yet it's still been a big trend online during the summer, with some social media users insisting that reflective surfaces can help to reflect sunlight away from the home – but this method can actually very quickly become a fire hazard.
"Some social media hacks suggest using reflective surfaces to reduce heat indoors, but leaving mirrors, magnifying mirrors or glass ornaments in direct sunlight can focus sunlight onto nearby curtains or cushions and start a fire in minutes," Liz explains. "As this is also a preventable hazard, it may void your claim."
