LifestyleKitchenThe UK is in the grips of a heatwave, and experts are urging Britons to check their homes.01:59, 10 Jul 2026Temperatures across the UK are soaring again with hot weather affecting the vast majority of the country. With some places experiencing highs of 35°C, there is one appliance in your home that is working overtime.‌Experts are urging Brits to double check their fridges to ensure they are working correctly. Hisense appliance expert Matthew Glynn said: “When temperatures rise during a heatwave, your fridge has to work harder to keep the inside temperature stable because the surrounding air is warmer.‌"The surrounding warmer air also means the internal temperature of your fridge is likely to warm up quicker when the door is open, meaning food can spoil much more easily.”‌To combat this, Matthew suggests temporarily lowering the temperature on your fridge. He explained: “I’d recommend dropping it towards the colder end of its range, around 2°C if your appliance allows."This gives your fridge more capacity to cope with the warmer ambient temperature and helps prevent the internal temperature from creeping up when the door is opened.”‌If your fridge is struggling to keep cool, it can raise the risk of your food spoiling.Official guidance recommends keeping your fridge between 0°C and 5°C, and checking the temperature with a fridge thermometer if you’re unsure.Aside from lowering the temperature, there are a couple of habits you can adopt to stop your food spoiling.‌Help your fridge cope in a heatwaveKeep the fridge closed as much as possible. Every time you open the door, warm air enters the fridge and cold air escapes which means the fridge has to work harder to bring their temperature back down.Don’t over crowd. Make sure you keep some space in the fridge to allow cold air to circulate and maintain temperatureLet food cool. Ensure that your leftovers are cooled before you put them in the fridge as warm food will raise the temperature of your fridge.Article continues belowOrganise your shelves. Clear organisation promotes air circulation, prevents overcrowding, and ensures easy access, reducing the chances of forgetting about perishable goods.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌HeatwaveFoodKitchenproperty news