Hot weather can affect your health. The people most likely to be affected are the elderly, the very young, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
An amber four day extreme heat warning has been issued by the Met Office to Southern and Central England from Thursday to the end of Sunday.
The high pressure dominating this week is leading to higher than normal temperatures that will build through the week. This is likely to have an impact on the health of vulnerable people and may cause sun burn or heat exhaustion in others, View the full warning at the Extreme heat warning issued - Met Office site.
If you know or look after someone that may be susceptible to the effects of this hot weather period please help make sure that they stay cool and well, and if possible check in advance that they are prepared for this hot spell. It is important we all take sensible precautions to avoid becoming unwell and to enjoy the hot weather safely. Heat can be a killer. If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, make sure they are aware of how they can keep themselves protected from the warm weather. It is possible people can experience heat exhaustion and in very serious situations it can become heat stroke.
There is more information available in the Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Who is vulnerable?
While everybody is at risk from the health consequences of heat, there are certain factors that increase an individual’s risk during a heatwave. These include:
- older age: especially those over 75 years old, or those living on their own and who are socially isolated, or those living in a care home
- chronic and severe illness: including heart or lung conditions, diabetes, renal insufficiency, Parkinson’s disease or severe mental illness
- inability to adapt behaviour to keep cool: babies and the very young, having a disability, being bed bound, having Alzheimer’s disease
- environmental factors and overexposure: living in a top floor flat, being homeless, activities or jobs that are in hot places or outdoors and include high levels of physical exertion
Advice on how to keep cool and comfortable and reduce health risks:
- Stay cool indoors by closing windows, if its safe open them for ventilation when its cooler, draw curtains on rooms that face the sun – and remember that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.
- Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn't possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
- Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool.
- Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don't go out between 11am and 3pm when UV rays are the strongest (the hottest part of the day).
- Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.
- Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
- Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated – older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk
- Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any medications you need.
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
- Check that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly
- Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat
- Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
- Make sure you take water with you if you are travelling
- Take care and make sure to follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down
- Check medicines can be stored according to the instructions on the packaging.
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.
Heat exhaustion can include:
- a headache
- dizziness and confusion
- loss of appetite and feeling sick
- excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
- cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
- fast breathing or pulse
- a high temperature of 38C or above
- being very thirsty
The symptoms are often the same in adults and children, although children may become floppy and sleepy.
If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down. To do this you should:
- Move them to a cool place.
- Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly.
- Get them to drink plenty of water. Sports or rehydration drinks are okay.
- Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good, too.
- Stay with them until they're better. They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.
You should call 999 if you or someone you are with is showing any of the signs of heatstroke:
- feeling unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place and drinking plenty of water
- not sweating even while feeling too hot
- a high temperature of 40C or above
- fast breathing or shortness of breath
- feeling confused
- a fit (seizure)
- loss of consciousness
- not responsive
The NHS website has more information on heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Also, please don’t forget about the animals in your care and view the top tips for keeping pets cool in hot weather by using the RSPCA link below.
Issues may occur with heat sensitive equipment and road and rail travel may also be affected.
For more information go to:
- UK Health Security Agency Heatwave Plan For England and Guidance Documents
- Met Office Heat-health watch
- NHS Choices Heatwave: be prepared
- WSCC Dealing with extreme weather
- WSCC https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/heat-alert/
- WSCC Preparing for emergencies
- RSPCA Top tips for keeping pets cool in hot weather