Heatwave advice: practical cooling tips for homes in Belgium and the Netherlands

Thermophysiologist Hein Daanen explained on Dutch TV that protecting homes from the sun is the most effective way to limit indoor heat. He recommends keeping shutters closed, using curtains only as a secondary barrier, and ensuring water points are available for the public. A distinctive tip he gave was to place “hands and feet in cold water” for quick relief, adding that “eating ice cream is also a very good idea” for cooling the body.

In the Netherlands, practical measures for a cooler bedroom during the heatwave include freezing a water bottle or a hot‑water bottle to place beside a pillow, taking a lukewarm shower before sleep, hanging frozen water bottles in front of a fan, freezing bed‑sheets and towels, keeping the room dark with closed curtains during the day, and opening windows at night for airflow. These low‑cost actions aim to lower perceived temperature and improve sleep comfort during prolonged high temperatures.