Brits Warned About Using Electric Fans During Heatwave

Electric fans feel like the obvious answer when a heatwave hits, especially in homes that were never built for long spells of intense summer heat. But the warning is not that fans are always dangerous — it is that they can become less helpful, or even risky, when they are used in the wrong conditions.

The key detail is temperature. UK health guidance says electric fans can help when the air temperature is below 35°C, but warns people not to aim them directly at the body because that can contribute to dehydration. The advice matters most for older people, babies, people with health conditions, and anyone sleeping in a room that stays hot overnight.