Health experts have urged Brits to do a certain thing between 11am and 3pm amid a severe weather warning. People over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing conditions are especially at risk of serious illness this weekend.
In an update, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that a yellow heat alert for parts of England could be dangerous. This comes as the Met Office has predicted temperatures of up to 30C.
Worst affected areas include the east of England, east Midlands, London and south east regions. On its website, the UKHSA said: “Whilst temperatures may not seem too high for the general population for now, data from UKHSA shows that even at these forecasted temperatures, vulnerable groups and health care services can be impacted.”
Under UKHSA and the Met Office’s Weather-Health alerting system, a yellow alert means that any impacts will likely include:
- Increased use of health care services by vulnerable populations
- An increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, explained: “Our findings show that even moderate heat can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun. The forecasted high temperatures are expected to be short-lived but could primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions.
“If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.’’
To stay safe during this hot weather event, the UKHSA advised people to keep out of the sun at the “hottest time of the day”, which is between 11am and 3pm. It also recommended:
- Keeping your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
- If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing, such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, and seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly
- If you are going to do a physical activity (for example, exercising or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening
- Knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them.
Symptoms of heatstroke
The NHS states that heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes. But if it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.
The signs of heat exhaustion include:
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Feeling sick or being sick
- Excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, but a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin
- Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
- Fast breathing or heartbeat
- A high temperature
- Being very thirsty
- Weakness.
You should call 999 if you or someone else has signs of heatstroke, including:
- Still being unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and drinking fluids
- A very high temperature
- Hot skin that’s not sweating and might look red (this can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
- A fast heartbeat
- Fast breathing or shortness of breath
- Confusion and lack of coordination
- A seizure or fit
- Loss of consciousness.
The yellow heat-health alert is in place until Sunday.
