The UK has had to endure 5 heatwaves during this year already, with many an expert stating that these conditions will only become regular occurrences.
Here are some tips on how you, your family and neighbours can remain as safe as possible during extreme hot weather.
You should avoid direct sun between 11.00am and 3.00pm and keep your home cool by closing blinds, curtains and windows during the hottest time of the day.
- Try to drink water on a regular basis, even if you don’t think your feeling thirsty
- Try to avoid alcohol, caffeine and other hot beverages
- Use high-protection suncream and wear a wide-brimmed hat
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably linen or cotton
- Exercise early in the morning or late evening
For babies under six months, you should not give them water but offer breast milk or formula at regular intervals. If your baby is over six months old, you can give them regular sips of water along with their normal milk feed.
- Try to keep bedroom temperatures under 24°C by closing curtains during the day
- Cover baby’s pram with a parasol or a damp, clip-on mesh
- Dress young children in single layers of loose and light-coloured cotton
- Don’t leave children inside a parked car, even for a few minutes with windows open. Internal temperatures can reach dangerous levels in under 10 minutes
For vulnerable and elderly persons, try to arrange any regular appointments or activities for early mornings or later in the evening, if you can.
- Check in with your family members, neighbours and friends on a daily basis
- Make sure that they have access to any required medication, water and a means to call for help
- Make sure that they have cool baths or showers, use damp cloths or have a spray bottle containing cool water
- Place cool packs wrapped in cloth on the neck, underarms and/or wrists
- Watch out for heat exhaustion which may include dizziness, excessive sweating, headaches, muscle cramps and/or nausea
Your pet cannot regulate their body temperature effectively which can lead to dehydration or even heatstroke during extreme weather conditions.
- Walk your dog during the early morning or late evening when temperatures have dropped
- Test the pavement with the back of your hand; if after 5 seconds it’s too hot it will burn your pet’s paws
- Leave several water bowls around your home and add ice cubes to keep chilled
- Apply pet-safe sunscreen to cats and dogs’ pink skin, nose and ear tips
- Avoid keeping your pet outside including on balconies, and keep them hydrated
Remember to Check, Cool & Hydrate.
And look out for one another!
Further information can be found on the NHS website page Heatwave: How To Cope In Hot Weather and on the Gov.uk website page How To Keep Cool and Stay Well During Hot Weather