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Heatwave warning: how to keep your family safe, cool and (relatively) sane this weekend

Heatwave warning: how to keep your family safe, cool and (relatively) sane this weekend

The UK’s third official heatwave of 2025 is here — here’s what parents need to know now

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Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: July 11, 2025 at 11:04 AM

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Temperatures are soaring again across the UK, with a third official heatwave now underway — and it’s set to bring some serious challenges for families.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded heat alerts to amber for large parts of England, including the South, Midlands and East. Yellow alerts remain in the North, and Wales and Scotland could see their hottest days of the year, with highs of 30–32°C expected through the weekend.

With hosepipe bans, droughts declared and a lot of hot, sweaty little ones refusing to nap, we’ve pulled together what mums need to know to keep your home cool, your kids safe and your sleep schedule (sort of) intact.

Where the UK heatwave will hit hardest

The amber alert — meaning a potential health risk to vulnerable people, including young children and pregnant women — comes into force at noon on Friday and will stay in place until Monday morning.

Simon King, BBC Weather’s Lead Presenter, confirmed that Wales and Scotland may see highs of over 30°C, and that central and north-east Scotland could hit 31°C on Saturday — possibly marking the hottest day of the year north of the border.

By Sunday, cooler breezes are forecast to bring some relief, but temperatures in many areas will still remain in the high 20s.

How to keep your children cool (and actually asleep)

Getting your child to settle when the room feels like an oven? You're not alone. While the ideal bedroom temperature for kids is around 18°C, many homes are sitting well over 25°C at night right now.

Try these tried-and-tested MadeForMums parent hacks:

Freeze the pillow: Pop their pillowcase or bedtime toy in a bag and stick it in the freezer for a few hours, a cool head can really help with sleep.
Use cotton layers: Swap out the duvet for a single cotton sheet or a low-tog blanket. Cotton pyjamas can help wick away sweat better than sleeping in just pants.
Fan tricks: Position a fan next to an open window to draw in cooler night air. Or use the old-school ice bowl trick, placing frozen water bottles or a bowl of ice in front of a fan to mimic a DIY air-con.
Cool bath before bed: A lukewarm bath (not icy!) helps lower body temperature and ease your child into sleep mode.
Try blackout blinds: They don’t just block the light — thermal-lined blinds like the Gro Anywhere can help keep rooms noticeably cooler if you shut them before 9am.

How to cool your home (without spending a fortune)

Most UK homes are built to keep heat in, which, as every British parent knows, is not ideal in a summer like this.

Our top tips for keeping your house liveable:

Shut windows early: It might feel wrong, but keeping windows shut between 11am and 3pm (especially on sun-facing sides) can stop hot air from flooding in.
Open loft hatches: If you have one, open your loft hatch to give hot air somewhere to escape.
Switch off unused tech: Devices like TVs and computers add unexpected warmth — switch them off at the wall when not in use.
Avoid cooking with the oven: Now is the time for pasta salads, air fryer meals and cereal-for-dinner nights.
Hydrate like it’s your job: Keep a bottle of water or ice-cold drinks handy for everyone in the family — and yes, that includes you.

Expecting in a heatwave? Here's what to do

If you're pregnant right now, this weather can feel extra exhausting, and there are a few medical reasons for that.

Your body is already working harder, and overheating can lead to lower blood pressure, dizziness and even dehydration, which affects both you and baby.

MadeForMums pregnancy expert Maria Muennich explains: “Your pregnant body is more prone to overheating. A rise in core body temperature — especially in the first trimester — has been linked in some studies to developmental issues like neural tube defects.”

Key tips for staying safe:

Stick to the shade (but remember you can still burn there).
Wear loose, light-coloured clothing in natural fabrics — synthetic fibres can trap heat and increase your risk of heat rash.
Limit sun exposure to 10–15 mins, 2–3 times per week to top up vitamin D, but use high-SPF sunscreen the rest of the time.
Avoid crowds and rest often — ideally indoors or somewhere cool.
Hydrate and cool off with showers or a splash in the paddling pool.

When will it cool down?

According to the BBC, cooler air from the Atlantic is due to arrive on Monday, bringing cloud and some light showers to northern and western areas — but temperatures are still expected to hover in the high 20s elsewhere.

In the meantime, hang in there, keep the fans running, and don’t feel bad if your kids are eating ice lollies for breakfast. We’re all just trying to get through this one heatwave at a time.

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Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.