General advice during a Heat Wave

• Stay out of the heat. 
• Keep out of the sun between 11:00am and 3:00pm. 
• If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf. 
• Avoid extreme physical exertion. 
• Take cool showers or baths and splash yourself severy times a day with cold water, particularly your face and the back of your neck.
• Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes. 
• Eat as you normally would; try to eat more cold food, particularly salads and fruit which contain water.
• Look out for others. 
• Keep an eye on isolated, elderly, ill or very young people and make sure they are able to keep cool. 
• Ensure that babies, children and elderly people are not left alone in stationary cars. 
• Check on elderly or sick neighbours, family and friends everyday during a heatwave. 
• Be alert and call a doctor or social services if someone is unwell or further help is needed. 
• Listen to bulletins on the radio and television and follow health advice.

Heat exhaustion/heat stroke

In a severe heatwave the fody can overheat and dehydrate, leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Symptoms include:

• headaches
• nausea and intense thirst
• sleepiness
• hot red and dry skin
• a sudden rise in temperture
• confusion, aggression
• convulsions and loss of consiousness

   

Heatstroke can develop if heat exhaustion is left untreated but can also occur suddenly and without warning. It can result in irreversible damage to the body, including the brain, or death.

Looking out for your neighbours

If you have any neighbours who are elderly, infirm or potentially vulnerable to a heatwave do make a point of checking that they are coping with the weather conditions.

• Remind them to drink plenty and often; a mixture of drinks is best including fruit juice and water.
• Help them keep their house as cool as possile by drawing curtains, opening windows at night or by using a fan if necessary.

Useful websites

• Department of Health Heatwave Plan 2012
• Heat Health Watch
• NHS Direct