Households urged to put sheet of A4 paper in fridge before Thursday

Households across the UK are being urged to use a piece of A4 paper in their fridge this week. As the hot summer weather is set to make a blazing return with temperatures forecast to hit 30C on Thursday, a lot of Brits may be caught out by the sweltering conditions as well as the knock-on effect on your home and its appliances which could end up costing you money.

One effect of the hot weather that you probably haven't accounted for is the impact the baking conditions can have on your food and drink - and, indeed, your entire fridge. According to white goods manufacturer Beko, a common issue with your fridge could cause you to lose a lot of food in the hot temperatures, due to it going off early in the warmer conditions. That's because if your fridge is a few years old, there's a good chance that the seal around the door is not working properly any more.

If that happens, not only will it increase your energy bills as your fridge works harder to keep food cold, but it will also cause damage to the fridge and can cause food to go off more quickly.

To check, all you need is a single sheet of A4 paper.

A spokesman for Beko said: "One issue that may arise with your fridge is wear and tear on the door seal. A worn-out door seal can prevent the refrigerator door from closing properly, causing the cooling system to work harder to keep your groceries fresh.

"This can lead to increased energy consumption and potential damage to your fridge and its temperature settings.

"Warm air entering your fridge can overwhelm the cooling system, especially during hot summer days."

Salah Sun, Head of Product Management at Beko UK, said: "To check if your fridge door is functioning correctly, use a piece of paper. You can buy paper for as little as 1p or use any paper you have at home.

"Place the paper against the door seal and close the door. When you try to pull the paper out, you should feel some resistance. If the paper slides out easily, your door seal may need replacing."

According to the Met Office, the hot weather will begin to return on Tuesday, and gradually get hotter until peaking on Thursday, though conditions will still be warm on Friday and Saturday. Temperatures will start at at 25C on Tuesday, increasing to 27C on Wednesday, rising to 30C by Thursday, then cooling off just 1C to 29C on Friday and Saturday, at least in London and much of the south of England.

The Met Office added in its forecast that "a period of high temperatures and humidity" will return by the end of the week.

In its forecast for Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 20, it said: "Many parts of the UK are expected to be part way through a period of high temperatures and humidity at the start of this period. The duration, geographical extent and intensity of the heat are all rather uncertain at present, but there is the potential for some very hot weather to be realised, especially across some inland southern and eastern areas.

"With this also comes the possibility of thunderstorms, in part because of the high temperatures, but also in association with any frontal systems moving in from the west, which would ultimately usher in cooler and fresher conditions. Towards the latter part of the period, northwestern areas stand a greater chance of experiencing rather more changeable conditions, with drier and occasionally hotter spells more likely further southeast."