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Coping with a heatwave

 
Summer is here and there is an increased chance of heatwave conditions this year, according to the Met Office.

Heat can affect your health more than you might think.

Who is most at risk?

While everybody is at risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, certain people are deemed to be more at risk.

These groups include:

    • elderly
    • infants and young children
    • people with chronic medical conditions, for example heart problems and respiratory difficulties
    • people with mobility problems.

What can I do to keep safe in the sun?

    • Stay hydrated:
      Ensure you stay hydrated by keeping water with you and drinking regularly. Try to avoid tea, coffee and alcohol, which can dehydrate you further.
    • Avoid excessive excercise:
      Try to avoid excessive physical activity, particularly during hotter periods of the day.
    • Stay in the shade:
      Wherever possible, try to stay in the shade. It is best to avoide the sun between the hours of 11am and 3pm, when it is at its hottest.
    • Keep rooms cool:
      Keep rooms cool by keeping windows closed when the outside temperature is higher than that indoors, although it should not be a problem to open them at night when the temperature is cooler.
More information can be found on the NHS Choices webpage, Heatwave: Health Questions and Answers.

Further information

The Department of Health (DH) has issued a guide to looking after yourself and others during hot weather. It provides useful information and advice on:

  • the hazards of a heatwave
  • how to recognise the symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke
  • how to deal with the effects of too much heat.
Go to the DH website and view 'Heatwave: a guide to looking after yourself and others during hot weather'.

Other useful information available on the web, include:

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