Extreme hot weather

Impact

• Increased health risks to vulnerable people.
• Increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, lung illnesses, and other diseases.
• Some groups are particularly susceptible to the effects of very hot weather such as older people, the very young and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
• Air pollution – this can become worse during periods of hot weather and affect those with heart and/or lung problems.

People more at risk of becoming unwell in hot weather

• Older people aged 65 years and over
• Babies and young children aged 5 years and under
• People with underlying health conditions particularly heart problems, breathing problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, or mobility problems.
• People on certain medications.
• People with serious mental health problems.
• People who are already ill and dehydrated (for example from diarrhoea and vomiting).
• People who experience alcohol or drug dependence.
• People who are physically active and spend a lot of time outside such as runners, cyclists and walkers.
• People who work in jobs that require manual labour or extensive time outside.
• People experiencing homelessness, including rough sleepers and those who are unable to make adaptations to their living accommodation such as sofa surfers or living in hostels.
• People who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves.

Actions you can take to ‘beat the heat’ and stay safe in hot weather

• While many people enjoy warmer summer weather, hot weather can cause some people to become unwell through overheating (becoming uncomfortably hot), dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
• Keep 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 exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening.
• Keep 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, seek shade and apply sunscreen.
• Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake.
• Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you.
• Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them.

Heat exhaustion

This occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical attention if you cool down within 30 minutes. If you do not take action to cool down, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.

Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Feeling faint
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Feeling or being sick
• Heavy sweating
• Intense thirst.

Heatstroke

This is is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high.

Common symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Confusion
• Lack of co-ordination
• Fast heartbeat
• Fast breathing or shortness of breath
• Hot skin that is not sweating
• Seizures.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and then try to cool them down.

You can find out more about symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke on the NHS website.

How to cool down

How to cool down if you or someone else has symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• Move to a cooler place such as a room with air conditioning or somewhere in the shade.
• Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.
• Drink cool water, a sports or re-hydration drink, or eat cold and water rich foods like ice-lollies.
• Apply cool water by spray or sponge to exposed skin, and using cold packs wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck can also help.
• You should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

If you are concerned about symptoms, or they are worsening, seek medical advice by contacting NHS 111. In an emergency, or if you think someone has heatstroke, dial 999.