With a UK heatwave looming, many people are eagerly trying to find ways to cool down in the hot weather.

Sure, you could invest in an electric fan – and most are thankfully reported to be quite energy-efficient and low cost to run.

But some savvy Brits are going one step further, with hacks including how to create your own DIY swimming pool to why you should close your windows and never share towels.

And they are more than happy to share their tips with others.

Here’s how to hack a heatwave, UK-style.

TURN A SKIP INTO A SWIMMING POOL

Last year, Peter Scott, company director at Scott Bros, a family-run haulage and plant hire business, hit the headlines after revealing how his team dealt with the 38-degree scorcher in Teeside.

The 46-year-old filled up an empty skip with water and the team took a dip in it describing the experience as “almost as good as Benidorm”.

"It might look a little strange but a large skip makes the perfect plunge pool," Peter told NeedToKnow.co.uk.

"We had no shortage of people asking if they could take a quick dip.

"It was also a bit of fun, while allowing people a well-deserved break.

"It really helped our staff to completely cool down."

To ensure the skip was safe for employers, the company cleaned it out with a pressure washer and inserted plastic sheeting in the bottom.

As a recycling firm, they then filled up the skip with recycled water from their bowser.

PAY ATTENTION TO WINDOWS

If you have a tendency to open windows in an attempt to cool your home down, you might want to think again.

Rosaline Webb, a 28-year-old silversmith from West Yorkshire, has taken to TikTok to explain why this isn’t a good idea – and to reveal her top “life hack”.

She said: “First, shut all the windows on the south side of the house, or the side of the house that receives the most sunlight.

“Next, draw all the curtains to stop the sunlight from flooding in.

“Lastly, open all the windows on the north side of the house, or the side of the house in the shade, to let all the cold air in.”

Rosaline, who runs a jewellery business called Little Red Snail, says the trick does “truly work, regardless of what people say:”

The popular video has over 416,000 views.

HOW TO SAVE MELTED FOODS

A woman has shared her savvy hack to save food melted by the blazing heat – creating an "easy" chocolate fondue.

Laura MacLean, 25, from Scotland went viral after revealing her “brilliant” trick.

The account executive was left feeling "gutted" after leaving her favourite chocolate bar out in the blazing sun on accident – but soon had a "lightbulb" moment to salvage the snack.

She popped it into her fridge, found some fruit and dipped the pieces into the pool of chocolate, creating her very own "easy" fondue, with the hack getting over 168,200 views.

"I always use this hack now on a sunny day in the park," Laura told NeedToKnow.co.uk.

"[I used to] keep my chocolate in the fridge – which is controversial, I know.

"But the chocolate tastes pretty much the same as it would in a normal fondue – smooth and rich."

Laura also has one more trick up her sleeve.

She added: "[When I couldn’t sleep]…I put a soaked cloth in cold water and behind my neck while holding a hot water bottle, which I put in the freezer the night before.

"It worked a dream and I slept like a baby.

"I usually freeze some grapes and add them to wine if I'm heading out on a hot day.

"They also work great as makeshift ice creams and stay cold for ages."

PUT YOUR BEDDING IN THE FREEZER

A property expert has a few more tips on how to hack a heatwave including a sleep trick.

Kyle Mattison, 29, from Portsmouth, is a marketing officer and property enthusiast is known as That Property Guy with over 300,000 followers on TikTok.

If you struggle to go to sleep when it's hot, he advises to ditch the duvet – and stick the bedding in the freezer.

He said: “You can always get your bedding, put it in a bag and put it in the freezer just before you go to bed.

“Sounds a bit wacky but it cools your bedding right down and it's great for when you're trying to sleep."

Kyle also suggests switching your lightbulbs.

He said: “Halogen light bulbs create heat, so try and change them to LEDs if you can. The added benefit is that they use less energy.

"And turn off major appliances where you can – it might stop you getting hot and flustered, and appliances generate heat as well."

NEVER SHARE TOWELS

Finally, a British doctor has also chimed in to tell people why you should never lend your towels – and busting the myth that you can get STIs from swimming in public pools.

Dr Sarah Welsh, 33, from London, is a trained medical professional with experience in gynaecology and is also the founder of the condom brand, Hanx.

She says sharing a towel with someone after a dip is a very, very bad idea, unless you want to risk catching pubic lice.

Dr Welsh said: "Can you get an STI from a shared pool or paddling pool?

"In short, the answer's no.

"STI is also very bad at surviving outside of the body or bodily fluids.

"What's more, the chlorine and chemicals in public pools kill bacteria and viruses including STIs.

"The only tips here are to avoid sharing towels because pubic lice could potentially spread through these, as well as sharing bedding or clothing."

ENDS

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