One of the clearest pieces of community advice was to make use of the cooler air in the early morning.

Open windows while it is still cool outside. Then, before the temperature rises, close the windows and draw the curtains or blinds. This can help slow down the heat entering your home during the day.

A simple rule shared by one neighbour was:

If it is hotter outside than inside, keep the heat out. Open up again once the outdoor temperature drops.

Not every home is the same, though. People living near the coast may benefit from a steady sea breeze, while other homes can become hotter when windows are left open.

Another useful suggestion was to treat each side of the house differently.

Close windows facing direct sunlight, while opening windows on the cooler, shaded side when the air outside is comfortable. As the sun moves around the building, you can adjust which windows are open.

This may work better than opening every window all day.

Several neighbours used ice or frozen bottles with their fans.

Ideas included:

• Placing frozen bottles of water in front of a fan.
• Using reusable freezer blocks wrapped in a tea towel.
• Putting ice near the back of the fan, where air is drawn in.
• Pointing a fan towards an open window in the evening to help move warm air out.

The original poster was already using chopped ice in front of a fan and described it as helpful, although not amazingly effective. Frozen bottles may be less messy and can be reused the next day.

Keep water and electrical equipment safely separated, and place frozen items in a tray or bowl to catch condensation.

Cooling an entire home can be difficult. Many people found it easier to cool themselves directly.

Popular suggestions included:

• Wearing a cooling towel around the neck and shoulders.
• Putting your feet in a bowl of cool water.
• Resting a damp cloth on your head.
• Wearing a wet cotton hat.
• Cooling your feet with a wrapped freezer block or cold-water bottle.
• Wetting your shirt while watering the garden in the evening.

One neighbour even suggested keeping socks or gloves in the fridge or freezer before bed. Should you try this, let them warm slightly first and avoid placing anything painfully cold directly against bare skin.

A cool shower, including wetting your hair, was recommended as a way to feel more comfortable when trying to sleep.

Others used a quiet fan beside the bed or had ceiling fans installed. Fan noise can take some getting used to, but some people said they eventually stopped noticing it.

A cold-water bottle near the feet was another simple bedtime idea.

A paddling pool in the garden was one of the most popular responses - simple, effective and enjoyable when outdoor space is available.

Other garden-based ideas included watering plants after the sun has gone down and using the hose to dampen clothing at the same time.

Remember that paddling pools need supervision around children and should be emptied or covered safely when not in use.

Not everyone has air conditioning at home, but the community knew where to find it.

Local suggestions included spending a little longer than usual in supermarkets, DIY shops and other air-conditioned stores.

One person praised the air conditioning in Sainsbury's. Another recommended Brewers, while Home Bargains also received an honourable mention.

A trip to an air-conditioned public place can provide real relief during the hottest part of the day - even without setting up camp in the freezer aisle.

Across the discussion, a few themes appeared again and again:

1. Keep sunlight and hot daytime air out of the home.
2. Open windows once the air outside becomes cooler.
3. Use fans alongside frozen bottles or freezer blocks.
4. Cool your neck, head and feet directly.
5. Take a cool shower before trying to sleep.
6. Make use of air-conditioned public places when needed.

There was no single trick that worked for everyone. The strongest approach was to combine several small measures throughout the day.

Naturally, the neighbours also supplied some less practical solutions.

"Build an igloo and stay inside."

This was quickly followed by someone "popping to Iceland" to get started.

Another neighbour recommended putting your feet in cold water, placing a damp cloth on your head and enjoying an ice-cold Murphy's. The beer received more enthusiasm in the replies than the bowl of water.

And the shortest piece of advice in the entire discussion:

"Don't lose your cool!"

The thread showed how much useful knowledge sits within a local community. People shared what they had tried in their own homes, adapted ideas to their surroundings and helped each other find small ways to make difficult weather more bearable.

The best place to begin is simple: block direct sunlight, keep hot air out during the warmest hours, let cooler air in later, and cool your body whenever cooling the whole room is not possible.

Sometimes community wisdom really is as straightforward as a frozen bottle, a wet towel and knowing exactly which local shop has the best air conditioning.