Hot tips for heat care across the East Midlands

The UK Health Security Agency is urging people to stay safe and check on loved ones as high temperatures are expected to peak this weekend.

An amber heat health alert is currently in place from 19th June until 9am on Monday 23rd June, covering the East Midlands region as well as most other parts of the country.

An amber alert is higher than the previous yellow alert in place earlier this week. The Met Office has forecast temperatures of up to 32C on Friday and Saturday. Data from UKHSA shows that at these forecasted temperatures, vulnerable groups and health care services can be impacted.

For the majority of people, it is about common sense – staying cool, drinking plenty of water to maintain hydration, and avoiding sunburn. However, some groups can be particularly vulnerable and at much greater risk of harm, especially those over 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Looking out for vulnerable neighbours, friends and family is essential while most of England swelters under high temperatures.

Susanne Howes, Consultant in Health Protection for UKHSA East Midlands, said: “We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30c in many areas.

“Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun."

There are ways in which you can keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather, such as:

• knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstrokeand what to do if you or someone else has them
• keeping your home coolby 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
• keeping out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
• 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

The rest of us also need to take care when out and about in the sun and keep cool where we can. If travelling, keep plenty of water with you and check weather forecasts.

The UKHSA data dashboard provides the latest details on Heat Health Alerts currently in place and their duration, while our latest blog details how exactly heat impacts the body and what we can do to avoid the negative effects.