A woman has issued an urgent warning against keeping a mirror near your windows during this UK heatwave, after she discovered the hidden dangers of reflective surfaces
As the sun continues to shine this weekend, a warning has been issued to keep your mirrors far away from your windows.
The UK is finally facing its first heatwave of 2024, and many of us will be making the most of the sunny weather by heading out to beaches, spending time in the garden, or living it up in a beer garden. But before you go outside and enjoy the sun, you should make sure your home is safe.
One woman previously shared a warning online after she learned first-hand the potentially devastating effects of keeping a mirror on your windowsill or near your window when the sun is shining directly on it.
Many of us keep mirrors near windows for the benefit of having natural light while styling our hair or doing our make-up, but as one mum has warned, it can cause real trouble if left there during a heatwave. Rebecca Thompson posted a video on Facebook which showed the sunlight bouncing off the reflective surface of her mirror and shining directly onto the plastic of her window frame – causing it to heat up and start smoking in seconds.
Issuing a stark warning, Rebecca said: “This is just a reminder to you, your family and friends not to leave mirrors on your windowsill. This was the magnified side of the mirror but it’s easy to forget it’s there when you only use one side … this was 6:44 am this morning. I’m glad I caught it when I did.”
After some questioned why she’d done it, Rebecca added: “I would just like to point out that it’s a nine-second video in a controlled environment. I think the awareness is worth the nine seconds.”
Magnifying beauty mirrors can concentrate the sun’s rays and can cause nearby objects, such as curtains, clothing, paper or furniture to set fire. Anything that is reflective, such as glasses of water, should be kept away from windows to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out.
Since posting the video, it has attracted tens of thousands of shares and was even used by Scotland Fire and Rescue Service who wanted to use it in their fire safety sessions in schools and within communities.
A version of this story was first published on 16th June 2022.
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