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Heatwave

Heat and Sun – Enjoy the sun safely


Whilst many of us enjoy the sun and hot weather, we need to make sure that we do so safely and remember that some groups of people are more vulnerable than others to the effects of heat. Young children and older people are particularly at risk. Overexposure to sun is dangerous with effects ranging from mild sunburn to skin cancer. It doesn’t have to be hot for the UV index to be high.

Before a heatwave
  • Ensure you have plenty of cold fluids available


During a heatwave
  • Try to keep your house cool, closing blinds or curtains can help
  • At night, keep your sleeping area well ventilated. Night cooling is important as it allows the body to recuperate.
  • Try to stay cool by taking cool showers or baths and/or sprinkle yourself several times a day with cold water.
  • Avoid too much exercise, which can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and can even be fatal. Watch for signs of heat stress – an early sign of fatigue.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, but NOT alcohol, which dehydrates the body.
  • Try to eat as you normally would. Not eating properly may exacerbate health-related problems.
  • If driving, keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness. Take plenty of water with you and have regular rest breaks.
  • If you have elderly neighbours who may be at risk during a heatwave, try to visit them daily.
  • If you do go out, try and avoid the hottest part of the day (11:00 – 15:00hrs) and seek shade where possible. Avoid being in the sun for long stretches.


Before going out in the sun
  • Check you have appropriate sun cream for your particular type of skin


During sunny weather
  • The UV index (the strength of the sun) can be high at many times of the year – it doesn’t have to be hot. The UV index can be strong through cloud even when the sun isn’t directly shining.
  • If you go out, wear lightweight, light coloured clothing, high factor sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat.
  • Avoid being in the sun for long stretches
  • Reapply an appropriate factor sun cream at regular intervals during the day.

Do not leave children or animals in parked cars. Even on cool days, strong sunshine can make car interiors very hot.

Information and advice on the hazards of heatwave is given in the leaflet linked below produced by the Department of Health. It includes information on how to recognise the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, together with guidance for dealing with extreme heat.
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Heatwave – A guide to looking after yourself and others during hot weather (pdf 105kb) updated version 2010

NHS factsheets are available for health and social care professionals supporting vulnerable people and particularly those that visit people in their homes together with a factsheet giving advice to managers and staff of residential and nursing care homes, where people are particularly at risk during hot weather.

The factsheets can be found at the following link:
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Advice for care home managers and staff – supporting vulnerable people before and during a heatwave (pdf 87kb) updated version 2010
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Advice for health and social care professionals – supporting vulnerable people before and during a heatwave (pdf 132kb) updated version 2010

There is a comprehensive and detailed Heatwave Plan for England produced by the Department of Health offering excellent advice and guidance. The plan’s purpose is to raise both public and professional awareness in the event of a heatwave. This document can be found at the link below:
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Heatwave Plan for England – protecting health and reducing harm from extreme heat and heatwaves (pdf 517kb) updated version 2010


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Heat-Health watch service


This is a service run by the Met Office in conjunction with the Department of Health to help alert people to the health problems associated with high temperatures during the summer months.

It operates from 1 June to 15 September each year.  During this period, the Met Office will alert a number of organisations including the Local Authority and medical professionals about the potential for extreme hot weather.

The "Heat-Health watch" system comprises four levels of response. It is based on threshold maximum day and night-time temperatures as defined by the Met Office. The threshold for the South East region is 31°C by day and 16°C overnight. These temperatures could have significant effect on health if reached on at least two consecutive days and the intervening night.

There are four different levels of response as below:

Level 1 - Awareness (Green) - the minimum state of vigilance during the summer.

Level 2 – Alert and readiness (Yellow) - triggered as soon as the risk is 60% or above for threshold temperatures being reached in one or more regions on at least two consecutive days and the intervening night.

Level 3 - Heat wave action (Amber) - triggered as soon as the Met Office confirms threshold temperatures will be reached in one or more regions. Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.

Level 4 – Emergency (Red) - reached when a heat wave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system. Stay out of the sun. Keep your home as cool as possible. Keep drinking fluids.

For further information and up to date weather forecasting, view the Heat-Health Watch section on the Met Office Website click here to view

Advice can also be obtained from NHS Direct at http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/Heatwaveamberalert.aspx









Page last updated on: 19/04/2010