Households across the UK are being urged to use a piece of A4 paper in their fridge on Monday.
The UKHSA has issued a new heat health alert set to take effect from Monday morning at 9am for eight regions of England.
Amber alerts will be in place for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London regions from 9am on Monday 3 August to 9am on Wednesday 5 August. The North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, West Midlands and South West regions will be under a yellow alert during the same period.
In its guidance, the UKHSA urges households to check that fridges are working correctly before the hot weather takes hold again, as well as other tips including staying out of direct sunlight, avoiding excess alcohol and drinking plenty of fluids.
One effect of the hot weather that you probably haven’t accounted for is the impact the baking conditions can have on your food and drink – and, indeed, your entire fridge. According to white goods manufacturer Beko, a common issue with your fridge could cause you to lose a lot of food in hot temperatures because it goes off early in warmer conditions. That’s because if your fridge is a few years old, there’s a good chance that the seal around the door is not working properly any more.
If that happens, not only will it increase your energy bills as your fridge works harder to keep food cold, but it will also cause damage to the fridge and can cause food to go off more quickly.
To check, all you need is a single sheet of A4 paper.
A spokesman for Beko said: “One issue that may arise with your fridge is wear and tear on the door seal. A worn-out door seal can prevent the refrigerator door from closing properly, causing the cooling system to work harder to keep your groceries fresh.
“This can lead to increased energy consumption and potential damage to your fridge and its temperature settings.
“Warm air entering your fridge can overwhelm the cooling system, especially during hot summer days.”
Salah Sun, Head of Product Management at Beko UK, said: “To check if your fridge door is functioning correctly, use a piece of paper. You can buy paper for as little as 1p or use any paper you have at home.
“Place the paper against the door seal and close the door. When you try to pull the paper out, you should feel some resistance. If the paper slides out easily, your door seal may need replacing.”
Some of the UKHSA guidance on staying cool in hot weather includes:
