Temperatures are set to soar in London from Thursday 6 August – Sunday 9 August, and are expected to exceed 30 degrees on Friday and Saturday. The Met Office has issued a heat health alert, as we may experience heatwave conditions in Southeast England and London.
While many people may enjoy the hot weather, high temperatures can lead to serious health consequences, especially for people in vulnerable groups.
There’s also an extra challenge of keeping cool indoors for those who are staying home much more than usual as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For information about how to stay safe in the heat, please read on.
How to stay well in a heatwave
We know there’s nothing like taking in some rays in the park when the weather is fine, but there can be health risks if you’re too hot for too long. The main risks are dehydration (not having enough water), overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people with breathing or heart problems, and heat exhaustion, heatstroke and sunburn.
The NHS advises that people should:
- Stay out of the heat between 11am and 3pm, when temperatures will be hottest.
- Cool yourself down by having plenty of cold drinks, wearing loose clothes or taking a cool shower or bath.
- Look out for others who may be more vulnerable in the hot weather. Please ensure you are doing this safely and following Covid-19 guidance, including maintaining a safe distance. If someone is unwell, call a doctor as they could be suffering from heatstroke.
- Avoid exercising in the hottest parts of the day – mix up your routine by exercising early in the morning or later in the evening if it’s a little cooler.
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.
For more information on how to stay well and help others during the hot weather, visit the NHS website.