While many enjoy hot weather, there can be serious health consequences of too much exposure to heat and vulnerable groups are particularly at risk in hot spells.
The NHS Choices Heatwave: Be Prepared website provides useful information on how to keep yourself and others safe.
Beat the heat
- keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
- if you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
- keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
- if you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen
- drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake
- check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
- know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
You can find out more about how to beat the heat on the GOV.UK website.
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down. If you do not take action to cool down, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.
Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- tiredness
- weakness or feeling faint
- headache
- muscle cramps
- feeling/being sick
- heavy sweating
- intense thirst
Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high. Common symptoms of heatstroke include:
- confusion
- lack of co-ordination
- fast heartbeat
- fast breathing or shortness of breath
- hot skin that is not sweating
- seizures
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and then try to cool them down.
You can find out more about symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke on NHS.UK.
Respect the water
The advice from the RNLI is #FloatToLive.
Everyone who falls into cold water unexpectedly wants to follow the same instinct: to swim hard and fight the water. But when you fight it, the chances are, you will lose. Instead you need to stay calm, Float to Live.
You can find out more about respect the water through RNLI.
Animal safety
If you are concerned about a dog left in a car on a hot day, the RSPCA offer advice: Dogs Die In Hot Cars. If a dog appears to be in distress, call the police on 999.
The RSPCA provides further advice on caring for your dog in hot weather.
Weather forecasts and advice
The Met Office provides advice to the public through its Weather Ready campaign.
Updates from the Met Office can be found on the MET Office X account or Met Office website.