This Monday and Tuesday, temperatures are forecast to reach an eyewatering 40°C across the UK. This weather could cause health problems, even in healthy people, leading to potentially serious illness or danger to life. As such, the Government is urging everybody to look out for others, especially older people, young children, babies, pets, and those with underlying health conditions.
To stay safe, please do follow these tips:
- Stay cool indoors by closing curtains on rooms that face the sun – and remember that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
- Check that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly
- Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest
- 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
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will continue to monitor any heat-related illness and work closely with the Met Office, the NHS and other government departments to assess the impacts of this hot weather. If you do feel that you may be feeling ill due to the heat, please do call NHS 111 or in an emergency dial 999.
More information on the common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke are available HERE. Further, you can read the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHS) ‘staying safe in extreme heat blog’ for advice on how to stay well in hot weather HERE.