Wednesday 21 July 2021
Most of us welcome the arrival of summer, with the chance to get outside and enjoy the sunny weather. But when it's too hot for too long, there are health risks.
In England, there are on average 2,000 heat related deaths every year and this year the risks may be amplified by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Please look out for people who are most at risk during the heatwave and share this guidance as widely as possible.
The Met Office has issued a Heat-Health watch alert. We are now at Level 3: Amber-Heatwave action. This alert will be in force until 11.59pm on Thursday 22 July.
>> Current watch level: Level 3 – Heatwave action
Here’s the Met Office Alert:
It will be sunny with very warm or hot weather for much of England during the next two days, with temperatures widely expected to approach or exceed heat health thresholds.
High temperatures both by day and night will continue this week leading to public health impacts.
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What to expect
- Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat
- The wider population are likely to experience some adverse health effects including sunburn or heat exhaustion (dehydration, nausea, fatigue) and other heat related illnesses
- More people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to an increased risk of water safety incidents
- Some changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
- An increased chance that some heat-sensitive systems and equipment may fail, leading to power cuts and the loss of other services to some homes and businesses
- Some delays to road, rail and air travel are possible, with potential for welfare issues for those who experience prolonged delays
 Hot weather can be a problem, especially this year
Temperatures indoors can be higher than those outdoors, and this year more people than usual may need to stay at home, particularly if they have to self-isolate because they, or someone they are a close contact of, tests positive for COVID-19.
Social distancing measures have also reduced the opportunities for people to check on vulnerable friends and neighbours and some people may avoid seeking emergency healthcare when needed because of fears of catching coronavirus.
The main risks during hot weather are:
Look out for those at most at risk
Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated – older people, those with underlying health conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk.
A heatwave can affect anyone, but the most vulnerable people are:
- older people – especially those over 75
- those who live on their own or in a care home
- people who have a serious or long term illness – including heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson's disease or some mental health conditions
- those who may find it hard to keep cool – including babies/the very young, the bed bound, those with drug or alcohol addictions or with Alzheimer's disease
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people who are managing a COVID-19 infection at home may struggle to keep cool, particularly if they are running a fever. Recovery from a COVID-19 infection can take some time. Those recovering at home after a severe COVID-19 infection may have some ongoing organ damage, which means that they will be more vulnerable to the effects of heat than usual, and so it is especially important that they stay cool and hydrated
- people who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places – those who live in a top floor flat, the homeless or those whose jobs are outside
Stay hydrated
Sweating is your body's natural way of keeping you cool. Some sweat evaporates from your skin, taking heat with it. The rest runs down your face and body.
We sweat more in hot weather, so it's really important to drink lots of water to replace what our bodies have lost through sweating. Our physical thirst is not a very reliable indicator of how dehydrated we are (urine colour is better), so you should try to drink plenty before you feel parched. Try not to drink too much caffeine or alcohol, as they are diuretics that can increase dehydration.
Foods with high water content such as strawberries, cucumber, lettuce, celery and melon can also help you to stay hydrated. Try to avoid large, heavy meals laden with carbohydrates and protein because they take more time to digest, which in turn produces more body heat.
Keep cool
Many of us will need to stay safe at home this summer, for example if you have to self-isolate, so make sure you know to how to keep your home cool. Close curtains on rooms that face the sun, spend time in a cooler part of the house, especially for sleeping, open windows and try to get air flowing through your home.
If you are going outside, try to avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day, between 11.00am and 3.00pm when the UV rays are strongest. Stay in the shade, drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen regularly and wear a wide brimmed hat. You should also avoid exercising during the hottest part of the day.
What we wear can make a real difference to how our bodies handle heat. Avoid the temptation to strip off, because you may be at greater risk of sunburn, which can affect your body's ability to cool itself. Instead wear light colours (dark colours absorb more of the light, converting it into heat) and loose cotton or linen garments that are more breathable, absorbent and encourage ventilation.
Cold showers, filling up a hot water bottle with ice and blotting your skin with a damp, cold cloth can help keep you cool. And placing a bowl of ice at an angle in front of a fan can help cool the air indoors.
Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially young children and animals and if you are going into open water to cool down, take care and follow local safety advice.
Take care of yourself and each other
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, is urging residents to beat the heat and look out for most vulnerable in our communities as temperatures continue soar. He says:
"The hot weather can affect anyone, and much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense, but for the most vulnerable such as very young children, older people aged over 75 years old, those who live alone or in a care home and people who have a serious or long term illness, the summer heat can be really quite dangerous.
"That’s why we’re urging everyone to keep an eye on those you know who may vulnerable during the hot weather. Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated and ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support.
"It’s vital we all follow the advice on coping with hot weather and adapt what we do, particularly with many people self-isolating at home at the moment and our local NHS services already under pressure."
If you or someone else feels unwell with a high temperature during hot weather, it may be heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Visit the NHS website to find out more about the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and when to get help.
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