Heat health alert - keep cool and stay safe
The Met Office has issued a Heat Health Alert Level 3 “Heatwave Action” for the period between 0900 Monday 11th July and 0900 on Friday 15 July.
This means that we all need to take some simple precautions to enjoy the sun and stay safe.
Public Health advice is to; stay out of the heat, cool yourself down and to take steps to keep your living spaces as cool as possible.
Stay out of the heat:
- Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
- If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf
- Avoid extreme physical exertion
- Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes
Cool yourself down:
- Have plenty of cold drinks, and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
- Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content
- Take a cool shower, bath or body wash
- Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck
Keep your environment cool:
- Keeping your living space cool is especially important for infants, the elderly or those with chronic health conditions or who can’t look after themselves
- Place a thermometer in your main living room and bedroom to keep a check on the temperature
- Keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped
- Close curtains that receive morning or afternoon sun, however, care should be taken with metal blinds and dark curtains, as these can absorb heat – consider replacing or putting reflective material in-between them and the window space
- Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment – they generate heat
- Keep indoor plants and bowls of water in the house as evaporation helps cool the air
- If possible, move into a cooler room, especially for sleeping
- Electric fans may provide some relief if temperatures are below 35°C
Where possible, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust will be contacting our high-risk people to check in on them during the heatwave. You can help too by checking on any elderly or vulnerable neighbours and family - and getting them to follow the advice above.
For more information and tips to stay cool, visit NHS how to cope in hot weather pages.
