Hot weather and heatwave advice
Hot weather and heatwave advice
Hot weather and extreme heat affect everyone and can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable people. A heatwave is when the temperature stays very high for three consecutive days or more.
In England, there are on average 2000 heat-related deaths every year. Therefore, it is important that we all take precautions to make sure that our health and the health of others isn't badly affected by extreme heat.
The most common illnesses caused by heat are:
· Heat exhaustion
· Heatstroke
· Heat rash
· Sunburn
· Dizziness and/or fainting
The people most at-risk from heat are:
· Older people, especially over 75s
· People who live on their own or in a care home
· People with a long-term or serious illness
· Babies and young children (Keeping your baby safe in the sun - NHS (www.nhs.uk))
· People who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places (because of their job or where they live)
Advice to help you stay healthy in hot weather:
- Stay cool indoors
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
- Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
- Look out for older people and others who may find it more difficult to stay cool and hydrated in hot weather
- Avoid extreme physical exertion during the hot weather
- If going out in the hot weather, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen, wear a hat and light, loose cotton clothes
- Don't leave babies, children, older people or vulnerable people or pets alone in stationary cars in hot weather
- If you or others feel unwell, get dizzy, feel weak, anxious or have intense thirst, move to a cool place, rehydrate and cool your body down
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.
Whatever the underlying cause of heat-related symptoms, the treatment is always the same - move the person to somewhere cooler and cool them down. If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 999.
Please see Heat exhaustion and heatstroke - NHS (www.nhs.uk) for advice about what to do if you suspect heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Additional information
Here are some links to additional resources to help you stay safe in hot weather:
NHS Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather
Beat the heat: staying safe in hot weather - GOV.UK
Beat the heat: keep cool at home checklist - GOV.UK
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