Households in England urged to close doors on Wednesday and Thursday

Homeowners have been warned to close their doors on Wednesday and Thursday as temperatures across the UK get set to rise. According to WXCharts.com, temperatures could rise as high as 20C in the south of England on Wednesday June 11, threatening uncomfortable conditions for many.

The weather could be the start of a band of hot weather sweeping across the country through the rest of the week and into the weekend. A Met Office forecast for the period said: “Into the second half of next week, there is potential for some warm or hot weather to develop, particularly in the south and east, although this may be accompanied by heavy showers and thunderstorms. Into the middle of June, high pressure may become more dominant.

“This could bring periods of fine and dry weather, especially in south and temperatures rising above normal, although some thundery outbreaks remain possible.”

For those wondering how to stay cool during the hot weather, conventional wisdom might lead many to opening up extra windows to ventilate their homes, but doing so could be counterproductive.

The Red Cross warns that during hot temperatures, opening a window doesn't always mean you're cooling your home.

They warn: “Opening a window doesn't always mean you're cooling your home. In fact, if the air outside is warmer you could risk making it worse.

“During the hottest parts of the day, it's best to close windows to keep the warmer air out. Check the forecast to gauge when temperatures are starting to rise.

“Wait until the cooler times of the day to open windows. When they are open, you can creating a breeze in your home by opening different windows to help air to circulate.”

The organisation says that homes in the UK are not designed for high temperatures and often aren't equipped with cooling devices like air-conditioning.

They further warn that homes can be kept cooler by turning off anything that generates heat such as central heating as well as avoiding lights on unnecessarily.

Simply closing your curtains could help to protect your home from heat entering into it.

They added: “Even with the windows closed, sun shining through the glass can warm your home up quickly.

“Make sure to cover windows during the day to protect from direct sunlight like blinds, curtains, or external shutters.

“If you don’t have anything to block out the sun, hanging a bed sheet or towel should have a similar effect.”