The Human Cost of Overheating

Most people in the UK usually can’t wait for winter to be over so we can spend more time in the spring and summer sunshine.

But with the rapid onset of climate change and more frequent and hotter heatwaves, we are now joining the rest of the world in worrying about overheating.

Overheating can lead to heat exhaustion and for people with underlying conditions it can lead to death. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 61,672 people died from heat-related causes in Europe in 2022.

And with a recent Met Office study revealing how UK heatwaves could become even more frequent and intense with ‘the chance of exceeding 40°C in the UK accelerating at pace’, we all need to understand how to prevent overheating.

Physical impact on our bodies

Our bodies work hard maintaining a core temperature of 37.5°C by changing the amount of blood flow depending on our environment.

When it’s hot, our hearts are under more strain as they pump more blood close to the skin so we sweat and lose heat. By sweating we can increase the heat lost from our body by up to ten times but we need to keep drinking water to keep up the process.

However, the combination of strain on the heart and lungs with fluid and salt loss can cause dizziness and fainting, muscle cramps, sickness or nausea, headaches, tiredness and heavy sweating otherwise known as heat exhaustion.

Mental health effects of overheating

Alongside the physical symptoms of heat exhaustion, our mental health is also affected with increased irritability and a loss of focus on tasks.

Not being able to go outside during the day because it’s too hot can also affect our wellbeing.

Add sleepless nights to the mix and we have all the ingredients to exacerbate feelings of depression.

Who is most at risk of heat exhaustion?

If you’re in good health, you won’t be at risk as long as you drink lots of water and keep out of the sun.

Young children, older people and pregnant women are at risk. In addition, anyone with underlying conditions affecting the heart, lungs or kidneys and are on medication may experience symptoms worsening such as chest pains or find it hard to breathe.

How can I help someone who is overheating?

The NHS advises that you should move someone who is suffering from overheating to a cool place and ask them to lie down and raise their feet slightly.

They need to drink plenty of water or a sports or rehydration drink. You can then cool their skin with a spray or a sponge and fan them and use cold packs around the armpits or neck.

Stay with them until they feel better but call 999 if they feel no better after 30 minutes or if they still feel hot and dry and are not sweating, their temperature is above 40°C or if they have rapid or shortness of breath; or is confused, has a fit or loses consciousness.

These are all signs of heatstroke which is a medical emergency and can kill.

How can I stop my home from overheating

One of the best ways to prevent overheating is to stop the solar glare from entering your home in the first place by installing external blinds.

This is why architects are now incorporating external blinds into the design of UK houses.

External blinds reduce inside temperatures by 5°C or more, though there is plenty of anecdotal evidence in our case studies to show the thermometer drops even further on installation, helping to keep your home cooler during intense heat.

The special weave of the fabric allows light to enter the room whilst blocking the sun and means you can still enjoy the view outside.

Other ways to keep your home cool is to open windows at night so that you allow cold night air to fill the house. Fans can help too but only if the temperature inside is below 40 ˚C because anything above means the fan will have the opposite effect and heat your body.

Contact Kensington Blinds for a quote

If you’d like to find out more about our external blinds and how they can keep your home cool, our experts would be happy to talk to provide you with more information.