For much of the country, this weekend is set to be warm. Like, really warm – and for many, the deep humidity can have a major impact on sleep.
Now, if you are thinking of picking up an electric fan to help keep you cool and protect your health during the next heat wave, you might want to think again after reading this warning from the experts.
Electric fans might make you feel cooler, but they can actually increase your risk of becoming heat sick and even dying from a heat stroke, the evidence shows.
According to Sleep Advisor, sleeping with a fan on might not always be a great idea for health-related reasons. While having a fan does circulate air to make your room cooler and fresher, it can also circulate pollen and dust. Which definitely isn’t ideal if you suffer from allergies, asthma, or hay fever.
“Take a close look at your fan,” the Sleep Advisor suggests. “If it’s been collecting dust on the blades, those particles are flying through the air every time you turn it on.”
Electric fans could contribute to a potentially dangerous increase in a person’s core heat if outdoor temperatures exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit, a recent Cochrane evidence review says.
“The fan actually will be blowing air that is hotter than our body at us,” said co-author Mike Clarke, director of the Northern Ireland Clinical Trials Unit at Queen’s University Belfast.
That’s all before you consider the additions to the electricity bill, and the noise caused by running a fan all night.
A fan at night may not be the answer, but it’s still important to look after yourself and others in the heat. Public Health England has issued a health warning, in place until Friday, warning people to stay cool and hydrated and to check in on the most vulnerable.
Sources: AWM, Sleep Advisor, Webmd
