Beating the heatwave: BBC reporters' tips

Along with local tips, some reporters recommend the tried and trusted ice cream method

As heatwaves hit Britain and other countries across Europe, people are desperately looking for ways to stay cool.

We asked our reporters based in some of the hottest countries on earth how they handle the heat.

Their tips include "panda facemasks", soaking yourself at bedtime and plenty of ice cream.

Hydration face masks are popular in Singapore. The BBC's Heather Chen models the panda design

Singapore - Heather Chen

Our Singaporean 101-guide to beating the heat? We hide out in our many mega shopping malls to make as best use of the air-conditioning as often as possible. This also helps us to escape the high electricity bills which would add up if we switched on our air-conditioning systems at home.

Other handy tips to beat the heat: Drink as much barley water as possible (it cools the body system), consume a lot of ice cream, bubble tea and frozen yoghurt, and make the best use of "sunbrellas". Portable battery-operated fans don't hurt either.

We also favour slippers or flip-flops over covered shoes! It's nicer to release trapped hot air from our feet and it doesn't stink!

Frequent showers, both indoors and outdoors, are recommended in India

India - Geeta Pandey

In Delhi, when temperatures hit 45C (113F) or above, it gets really difficult to stay cool. People try to stay indoors when the sun is really bright, drink lots of fluids, wear light cotton clothes, and take frequent showers.

There are lots of drinks specially thought up to keep your body cool - like yoghurt lassi, raw mango panna, and fresh lime soda.

People pour water on their mattresses, or go to bed in wet clothes (or sometimes no clothes). Another option is to sleep on a stone floor (something I have done many times), or outdoors.

Mark Lobel claims energy bars are his secret but we suspect it may be a dip in the pool

Dubai - Mark Lobel

There's no escaping Dubai's heat unless you are in an air-conditioned office or car. You have about four minutes of outdoor filming in a shirt before it becomes, well, apparent you're perspiring.

Water and sunscreen are of course important, but energy bars have become my secret ingredient. Almonds and dates too. Dashing off and reporting a story can tire you without you realising. Keeping your energy levels up is crucial to staying cool-headed.

In Australia, the beach is many people's destination of choice on a hot day

Australia - Wendy Frew

In Sydney, we're used to it being hot, and a lot of people head straight to the beach. However, when the real heat arrives my top tip is to go to the movies and embrace the free air-conditioning.

The last time we had a serious heatwave I watched The Hobbit - with an epic running time of well over two hours it was perfect.

Milton Nkosi manages to compete in running races despite the heat

South Africa - Milton Nkosi

Here in Johannesburg, beating the heat is largely done by using the most traditional means of shade and water. Shade comes mostly from trees - Johannesburg is known for having the largest man-made forest in the world with over 10 million trees planted across the city of gold.

It is these trees that come in handy when it is very hot. People simply sit under the trees in the shade.

Water is another way of cooling down on a hot summer's day. In South Africa people tend to spend time in swimming pools either at home or in publicly run pools. There are also the ice lollies sold at traffic lights.

Karachi temperatures often break 40 degrees, leaving locals to get cool however they can

Pakistan - Shahzeb Jillani

I've lived in Karachi for years, and it can often get hotter than 40C (104F). Just a few weeks ago I got sunstroke whilst out working on a story. Water is key, but don't drink it all at once. In really hot areas, don't gulp but sip from a bottle of water every few minutes.

A cloth on the back of your neck helps too. Not only does it protect you from direct sunlight but you can use it to wipe up sweat.

Parisians take a laid back approach to cooling off

Paris - Lisa Louis

Paris has several barges with a restaurant and small-ish swimming pool on them. They are perfect for people looking to have a glass of wine and cool off by dipping their feet into the water.