Heatwave advice
In this section you can find information about how to look after your health during a heatwave and also information and advice about fire safety during hot and dry weather.
Look after your health
During hot weather it is even more important to take care of your health.
Are you, or someone you know at a higher risk of being affected during hot weather?
A heatwave can affect anyone, but the most vulnerable people are:
- Older people aged 75 years and over (in particular older women)
- Babies and young children
- People living in south facing top floor flats
- People who are bed bound or depend on others for day to day activities
- People with chronic and severe illness including heart conditions, diabetes, respiratory or renal insufficiency, Parkinson's disease or severe mental illness.
- People on certain medications, including those that affect sweating and temperature control.
- People who misuse alcohol or drugs.
- People who are physically active, for example labourers or those doing sports.
- People who live alone are socially isolated, or in a care home
- People who are homeless
What are the signs and symptoms of heat related illness?
- Muscle cramps could mean you are dehydrated
- Feeling nauseaous, feeling faint and heavy sweating, could mean you are suffering from heat exhaustion
- Mental confusion, hyperventilation (rapid shallow breathing) and loss of consciousness, could mean you are suffering from heatstroke. This is a medical emergency, call 999 if a person is showing symptoms of Heatstroke
What you can do to stay healthy during periods of hot weather
Knowing how to keep cool during long periods of hot weather can help save lives. Follow these top tips:
Stay out of the heat
- Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
- If you have to go outside, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat or light scarf
- Avoid extreme physical exertion
- Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes
Keep yourself cool
- Have plenty of cold drinks, but no caffeine or alcohol
- Eat cold foods, salads and fruits with a high water content
- Take a cool shower, bath or body wash
- Sprinkle water over skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck
Keep your environment cool
- Close windows facing the sun during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped
- Keep lights and non-essential electrical equipment off as they generate more heat
- If possible, move into a cooler room, especially for sleeping
- Keep indoor plants and bowls of water in the house, as evaporation helps cool the air
Finally, once you have looked after yourself, be a good neighbour and 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 or elderly people are not left alone in parked cars
- Check on elderly or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during a heatwave
Be alert and if someone is unwell call your doctor; or if further help is needed call Hackney Council Services 0208 356 5000 and ask for social services.
More information
For more information, please download the following Department of Health publications:
- Heatwave plan for England: Protecting health and reducing harm from extreme heat and heatwaves (PDF, 780KB)
- Looking after yourselves and others during hot weather (PDF, 100KB)
More information is also available on the NHS Direct website.
Page updated: 2 Jun 2011
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