BriefingsStaying Safe in Hot Weather

Background

This week, the Met Office issued its second ever red warning for extreme heat in England and Wales. Temperatures are expected to reach at least 39C, with some areas forecast to reach 40C.

The warning comes into effect on 09:00am on Wednesday 24 June, and lasts until 21:00 on Thursday 25 June. As a result, substantial disruption to travel, critical infrastructure (including hospital emergency departments) and damage to property are possible.

Residents in some parts of the UK have been asked to limit their use of water to ‘essential purposes only’, and there are concerns about the potential for water-related deaths as people try to cool off by swimming in lakes and rivers.

This briefing summaries updated government guidance on how to stay safe during hot weather: Beat the heat: hot weather advice – GOV.UK.

An Easy Read version of the guidance and BSL video are also available.

How Hot Weather Affects Health

The government estimates that 2,803 people aged over 65 years died due to the last extreme heat event in England in 2022. As a result of climate change, the number of heat-related deaths per year are predicted to triple by 2050.

Anyone can become unwell when the weather is hot. However, certain people can be at higher risk of adverse effects during extreme heat events, including:

• older people aged 65 years and over (note this is a change from previous guidance of 75 years of age and above);
• babies and young children aged 5 years and under;
• people with underlying health conditions particularly heart problems, breathing problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, or mobility problems;
• pregnant women;
• people on certain medications;
• people with serious mental health problems;
• people who are already ill and dehydrated (for example from diarrhoea and vomiting);
• people who experience alcohol or drug dependence;
• people who are physically active and spend a lot of time outside such as runners, cyclists and walkers;
• people who work in jobs that require manual labour or extensive time outside;
• people experiencing homelessness;
• people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves.

How to Stay Safe in Hot Weather

Many of the harms linked to heat exposure are preventable if a few simple actions are taken:

• physical activity (such as exercise or walking the dog), should be limited to times of the day when it is cooler, such as the early morning or the evening;
• homes should be kept cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun;
• drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and limit alcohol intake;
• check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell;
• know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them (see Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke);
• try to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm;
• when going out, cover up with suitable clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen liberally and re-apply frequently.

 Preventing Harms Linked to Hot Weather

• Avoid dehydration

It is important to drink fluids regularly throughout the day especially for people who are physically active.

Take a refillable bottle filled with water when going out, and extra water for journeys on public transport or by car.

Water and diluted squash or lower fat milks are good choices. Fruit juice, smoothies and soft drinks can be high in sugar which dehydrates the body.

Alcohol also has a dehydrating effect on the body, so it is better to choose alcohol-free options, or alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water.

If a person is fasting during a heatwave, it is important to drink enough to adequately hydrate beforehand and to follow advice on keeping cool and preventing dehydration. People with underlying health conditions should seek medical advice before fasting.

• Protect skin against sun damage

Babies and children particularly at risk of skin damage from the sun. To protect against sun damage;

• stay in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm;
• wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes;
• wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect the face, eyes, head, ears, and neck;
• wear sunglasses which are wraparound or with wide arms to provide protection from the sun;
• apply sunscreen generously and re-apply frequently, especially after activities that remove it, such as swimming or towelling.

• Limit strenuous physical activity

Limit the amount of strenuous physical activity during the hottest part of the day. Where possible do physical activities during the early morning or in the evening, when it is usually cooler.

Children should not take part in strenuous physical activities on very hot days.

• Avoid hot closed spaces

Small, closed spaces such as stationary cars can get dangerously hot very quickly. Babies, children, older people and pets should never be left alone in stationary cars or other closed spaces.

Ensure children in prams or pushchairs are shaded by using a parasol. Make sure there is adequate air flow, remove any excess clothing and check on them regularly to make sure they are not overheated. You can find more information on keeping your baby safe in the sun on NHS.UK.

• Keep your home cool

Homes can overheat and become uncomfortable during warmer weather, to avoid this:

• close blinds and curtains on windows that are exposed to direct sunlight during the day;
• close external shutters or shades;
• move to a cooler part of the house, especially for sleeping;
• open windows (if it is safe to) when the air feels cooler outside than inside, for example at night, and try to get air flowing through your home;
• use electric fans if the air temperature is below 35°C, but do not aim the fan directly at your body as this can lead to dehydration;
• check that any heating is turned off;
• turn off lights and electrical equipment that are not in use;
• go outside if it is cooler outside in the shade

More advice can be found in the Keep Cool at home checklist. An Easy Read version is also available, as well as BSL video.

Public buildings such as places of worship, local libraries or supermarkets may be cooler than your home.

Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical attention if the person cools down within 30 minutes. However, without taking action to cool down, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke which is a medical emergency.

Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• tiredness
• weakness / feeling faint
• headache
• muscle cramps
• feeling or 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 there are concerns that a person has heatstroke call 999 and then try to cool them down.

How to cool down

If a person has symptoms of heat exhaustion they should:

• move to a cooler place such as a room with air conditioning or somewhere in the shade, avoid direct sunlight
• remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks
• drink cool water, a sports or rehydration drink, or eat cold and water rich foods like ice-lollies
• apply cool water by spray or sponge to exposed skin, and using cold packs wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck can also help

These actions should help a person cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

If symptoms seem to be getting worse, seek medical advice by contacting NHS 111. In an emergency, or if there are concerns about heatstroke, dial 999.

Safety when Swimming

Swimming pools, rivers, lakes, or the sea can seem like a good way to cool down when the weather is hot, however hotter weather is also associated with an increase in drowning accidents.

To stay safe when swimming:

• always look for warning and guidance signs
• only enter the water in areas with lifeguard cover
• never enter the water after drinking alcohol
• wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket if you are doing an activity out on the water or at the water’s edge such as boating or fishing
• be aware that open water can be much colder than it looks which can lead to cold water shock
• get out of the water as soon as you start to feel cold
• swim parallel with the shore, not away from it
• always go swimming with someone else so you can help each other out

For more information, please see: safe summer swimming from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS)

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