How to survive the heatwave – how to look after your pets and sleep in the hot weather

EVERYONE'S doing their best to beat the heat and stay cool as temperatures soar.

So here's The Sun's best advice on what you can do to keep yourself and your pet cool in the heatwave.

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Top tips for staying cool when it’s hot

Shut windows and pull down the shades.

Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don't go out between 11am and 3pm.

Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.

Wear loose, cool clothing, sunscreen and a hat and sunglasses if you go outdoors.

What drinks are best to stay hydrated?

The NHS advises having cold drinks regularly, such as water or diluted fruit juice.

Avoid excess alcohol and caffeine or drinks high in sugar.

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How much should you drink?

Normally, people need to drink between 1.5 to two litres of fluids a day but people become dehydrated quicker in hot weather and should drink at least two litres.

How to keep your pet cool

Here are our top tips for keeping your canine and feline friends cool in the heat.

Cats

Drop some ice cubes in your cat's drinking bowl.

Wait until the end of the day before you play with kitty, when its cooler.

Pet your cat with a wet cloth, most cats don't mind some moisture on their fur.

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Dogs

Give them a wet towel to lay on.

Avoid walking on hot pavements and consider getting booties for them to insulate their toes.

Avoid exercise at the hottest parts of the day.

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Tips on how to sleep in the heat

Don’t go commando – it’s best to sleep in cotton pyjamas, to let our skin breathe and ensure that any sweat is soaked up, rather than left on your body.

Splashing your sheets – give your bedding a light misting of water before getting in, but don’t soak your bed, just keep the sheets slightly damp.

Turn off all the plug sockets – electrical sockets kick out a surprising amount of heat.

Keep hydrated – stay away from alcohol and keep a cool glass of water by your bedside.

Sleep alone – unfortunately it’s best to sleep alone, less body heat in the bed.

Lie low – because hot air rises it’s best to get as low as you can, although the floor may not be too comfy for a good night’s sleep.

Sleep on a feather or down pillow with a cotton pillowcase. Synthetic pillows will retain heat.