This summer has seen extreme temperatures across much of the UK.

Much of the health risk is from heat inside people's homes - so how can they be kept cool?

UK homes are designed to keep in warm air.

To let in as much cold air as possible, open the windows overnight or, if concerned about safety, for a couple of hours in the early morning or before bed, when the air temperature is lowest.

Open windows on opposite sides of the home, to let hot air out and cold in - and any loft windows, as hot air rises.

In flats, which may have windows one side only, open doors and use a fan to encourage airflow.

Do not open front doors leading to corridors, as they act as a fire safety measure.

Before temperatures rise, close all windows, external doors, blinds and curtains.

Dr Anna Mavrogianni, who researches sustainable building and urban design at University College London, also advises moving away from windows to avoid direct heat.

Unlike many countries which regularly see high temperatures, most UK homes have no air-conditioning.

To push cool air around the home, you can place a bowl of ice in front of an electric fan.

Avoid cooking for long periods and running electrical appliances that generate heat.

Heat exhaustion can also be brought on by high humidity - moisture in the air - so:

Office buildings or public areas such as sports centres or libraries may be cooler.

Local authorities have identified spaces where the public can go.

The mayor of London's office, for example, has created a map of "cool spaces".

How are you coping with the hot weather? Email HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC News journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you cannot see the form, visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit a question or comment - or email HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

• ·Chaos on Tufton Street as Just Speak Oil strike again: Eco-zealots spray orange substance over home of climate convert sceptics while furious cabbie drives AROUND fanatics lying on the road in group's 27th stunt this month 
• ·Ukraine's second city without power after strikes
• ·British pair killed in Ukraine rescue attempt
• ·Pope urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants
• ·Missing Princeton University student, 20, is found dead close to campus six days after she vanished: Cops say her death 'does NOT emerge to be suspicious or criminal in nature'
• ·Heavy cost of war for Russia's 'best of the best'
• ·Scholz: Nuclear risk from Russia has lessened
• ·'This war has changed my life completely'
• · End of an era for Wally Lewis as rugby league great reveals he had to make huge life convert 'for my health' amid battle with epilepsy
• ·Watch: Can Putin actually be arrested?
• ·Ukrainian woman's mission after brother's death
• ·Scholz: Nuclear risk from Russia has lessened
• ·British Airways cancels dozens of Heathrow fradiants after IT problem
• ·Ukraine says it downed Russian cruise missiles
• ·Three guilty of downing airliner over Ukraine
• ·Cruise ship Ukrainians say it's 'time to move on'