Keeping cool has seen many rush to viral social media hacks that could be more dangerous than you think
Keeping homes cool during periods of hot weather isn’t always easy. As temperatures continue to climb, many homeowners are turning to social media in search of quick and inexpensive ways to beat the heat.
It comes as much of the UK continues to swelter in temperatures of between 30C and 35C. The Met Office says the hot weather is expected to continue into the weekend, with highs of around 28C forecast in many areas.
Platforms including TikTok, Instagram and X have become flooded with DIY cooling hacks that claim to lower indoor temperatures without the need for air conditioning. However, insurance experts are warning that some of the viral trends could end up leaving you in danger and out of pocket.
One of the biggest concerns centres around the popular trick of placing a bowl of ice or cold water in front of a fan to create cooler airflow. While the idea has attracted plenty of attention online, there is an increasing worry that it could soon become a serious safety issue if water spills onto electrical components.
According to Go Compare, water coming into contact with plugs, sockets or the fan itself could lead to electric shock, damage the appliance or even cause a fire. If the damage is found to have resulted from ‘preventable misuse’, an insurer could refuse part or all of a home insurance claim.
Tamzin Metcalfe, home insurance expert at Go Compare, said: “When the weather is truly unbearably hot, it’s completely understandable that people will try almost anything to cool down. But you have to use your head, be sensible, and not get taken in by viral trends.”
She added that homeowners should “never combine water with electronics” and urged people to stick to safer ways of keeping cool instead. Closing blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day can help reduce heat entering the home without risking damage to electrical appliances or your insurance cover.
The warning comes as other organisations have also raised concerns about viral fan hacks. Consumer charity Electrical Safety First has warned against attaching frozen towels or other wet items to electric fans, saying moisture reaching the motor could increase the risk of electric shock and damage the appliance.
Not every fan cooling trick carries the same level of risk, however. Which? found that placing a bowl filled with ice in front of a fan can provide a short-term cooling effect, although it says the method is only a temporary solution and should be used carefully to avoid spills.
Go Compare also highlighted other viral heatwave trends that could cause problems with home insurance, including leaving windows or doors open overnight, running cheap unbranded electrical coolers unattended, and covering windows with kitchen foil, which can create thermal stress and crack glass.
With more hot weather expected, experts recommend sticking to tried-and-tested ways of keeping homes cool, such as closing curtains during the day, opening windows when temperatures drop outside, and using electrical appliances safely. Those measures can help lower indoor temperatures without creating unnecessary risks for your home or insurance policy.
