Heatwave hacks

How to stay cool in the summer sun

Ruby Paterson

Updated 14 June 2024

by Ruby Paterson

Children splashing water in the sea

We're well equipped to deal with the rain in the UK, but we don't tend to fair so well in extreme heat. When the temperates soar in the summertime, it can be difficult to manage.

Here's some tips on how to keep cool and carry on.

Keep yourself cool

If you’re venturing outside to enjoy the weather, try to wear light coloured clothing rather than dark. A hat will help shade your face and keep your head ventilated. Remember to stay hydrated too!

Avoid tossing and turning all night by keeping your window open on the shaded side of your house and closed on the side facing the sun. Closing curtains and blinds during the day also helps.

If you’re lucky enough to own a fan, now is the time to whip it out. If you’re still struggling, try having a shower before bed to cool you down. Another tip is to fill your hot water bottle with cold water, put it in the freezer and take it to bed with you later.

Keep your home cool

As mentioned above, keeping your blinds and curtains closed throughout the day stops your home from becoming a greenhouse.

Hanging a wet sheet above one of your windows is another great hack for cooling down your house in a heatwave. It also helps to swap your slow cooker for an outdoor evening meal like a salad.

Turning off the lights is a quick and easy way of regulating the temperature too. Light bulbs radiate heat and given the sun will shine well into the late evening, is there any need for the lights to be on?

Keep your pet cool

Dogs in particular cope poorly in hot weather as they are unable to cool down through sweating like humans. Breeds with long coats are especially prone to overheating.

Tips to help your furry friends include not leaving them in hot cars, conservatories or caravans, which even for a short time can be fatal due to rising temperatures.

Aim to walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cooler, as their paws can burn on a hot pavement. Exercise can potentially increase the risk of heatstroke.

Exclusive offers for Co-op Members

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Pet insurance offers

If you are a Co-op Member, you get 5% off Co-op Pet Insurance in your first year. Customers who are members also get 10% off all pet products in-store.

In-store discount added up to 14 days after policy starts and ends 21 September 2027. Terms and conditions apply. Policy discount subject to minimum yearly prices. Offers could be changed or withdrawn at any time.

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Home insurance

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Your discount is not available on add ons.

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Pet in-store 10% discount terms and conditions

The offer

Co-op Group Members with an active Co-op Pet Insurance policy get 10% off on pet products. This includes pet food, treats, and accessories in Co-op Group Food stores.

Promoter

This offer is run by Co-op Insurance, which is a trading name of Co-op Insurance Services Limited. Co-op Insurance Services Limited is registered in England and Wales (company number 4390). The registered office is 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG. It’s authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (register number 779364). Opening and closing dates

The offer will be available from 19 March 2026 and will run until 21 September 2027.

Eligibility

This offer is available to Co-op Group Members, aged 18+ who are UK residents and have an active Co-op Pet Insurance policy. This includes policies bought through comparison or cashback websites. Customers with temporary Membership cards are excluded. £1 joining fee applies for new members.

Member data matching criteria

To match you as a Co-op Member, the details on your Co-op Pet Insurance policy must be the same as the details on your Co-op Membership account. Co-op will not be liable for any incorrect details on the Membership account. We will check who qualifies for the offer using the following details you gave when you took out your policy:

  • your surname
  • your first initial of your first name
  • your postcode
  • your date of birth

You can update your Co-op Membership account details online.

Receiving the discount

We'll add the discount to your Co-op Membership account within 14 days after matching it with your pet insurance policy. The discount will not show in the Co-op app, but it will be on the till screen or your receipt as ‘Pet Insurance Offer’.

Applying the discount

The discount offer is only available in Co-op Food Stores. This discount offer is not available in any independent co-operative societies, Midcounties, Central England, Southern or Chelmsford Star co-operatives, some and concessions (such as Co-op Live) or in non-Co-op branded stores (such as Nisa) or online or on any delivery platforms.

To apply the discount the Co-op Member must:

  • purchase any pet product (petfood, treats or accessories) in a Co-op Food Store
  • scan your Co-op membership card/app at the till
  • the 10% will then automatically be taken off the balance

This discount can be used in conjunction with other discounts or promotions, no change will be given if the combined discounts exceed the purchase amount.

A maximum of 50 pet products can be purchased in a single transaction when using this discount.

No refunds will be given for any discount value on any purchases made before the discount has been applied to the matching Membership account.

Removal of discount

You will lose the discount if your Co-op Pet Insurance policy is cancelled or not renewed. You will also lose it if you close your Co-op Membership account before the discount end date.

Lost or damaged membership card

If your Co-op Membership card is lost or damaged, you can order a new card. When a new Membership card is received during the offer period, the discount will be applied within 14 of you receiving your new card.

Decision of the promoter

If there’s a dispute with the promotion, the promoter will make the final decision.

Disqualification

We may cancel this offer or your pet insurance policy if we think you’ve broken the rules or acted dishonestly. This includes buying discounted pet products to sell them on.

Cancellation or withdrawal of promotion

We may change or withdraw this offer at any time, without telling you in advance. We won’t be held responsible if we need to do this.

Use of personal information to administer promotion

We, other members of The Co-operative Group, and third-party agencies working for us may collect your personal information. This will be done in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and any other data privacy laws that apply. To find out more about your rights please see our Privacy Notice.

Changes to these terms and conditions

We reserve the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. Revised terms and conditions will be available at coop.co.uk/insurance/about-us/our-promotions/pet-instore-member-offer

It is your responsibility to keep up to date with any such changes.

Limitation of liability

We are not responsible for any loss, damage or injury linked to this offer or promotion, as far as the law allows. This includes anything that happens when you use the offer or take part in the promotion. We don’t limit our responsibility for personal injury or death due to negligence

Relevant law

This promotion is run under the laws of England. Any legal matters will be handled by the English courts.

General

The Promoter is not responsible for any third-party acts or omissions. We cannot guarantee that the offer will be free from disruptions, failings, or cancellations. We are not liable for such disruptions, failings, or cancellations unless they are caused by our negligence.

This offer does not change the terms of your Co-op Pet Insurance policy.

All Pet Insurance policies are subject to usual checks, including our standard terms and underwriting rules.

Contact us

For any questions about this offer or discount please contact us.