Amber heat health alert issued across whole of England – as health bosses warn of ‘rise in deaths'
AN AMBER heat health alert has been issued for the whole of England, as officials warn that soaring June temperatures could mean a "likely rise in deaths".
The alert will be in force from 12pm on Thursday until 9am on Monday, with temperatures forecast to hit 33C in parts of the country over the weekend.
The alert - a step up from the yellow heat health alert issued earlier this week - warned that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services because of high temperatures.
Temperatures are expected to reach 31C on Thursday and Friday, before peaking at 33C on Saturday, then potentially hitting the low 30s on Sunday, the Met Office said.
Hot weather across England could result in a rise in deaths among vulnerable people, such as those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
"There may also be impacts on younger age groups," the health watchdog added.
Health and social care services may also see increased demand, while the heat may make it harder for healthcare workers to deliver services, it added.
The alert is the second highest, behind red, on the UKHSA's system.
It's in place across England, covering the North East and North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London, the South East and South West.
The heat health alert doesn't mean that people should cower in their homes as temperatures rise.
But you should take precautions to stay hydrated and stop yourself from overheating, especially if you're over the age of 65 or suffer from certain health conditions.
The main risks posed by a very hot weather are dehydration - from not drinking enough water - and overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart of breathing.
How to stay cool during hot weather
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK.
A number of charities issued warnings as temperatures have risen over the course of the week.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) encouraged people with heart conditions to take precautions to minimise potential health risks during a heatwave.
Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the BHF, said: "You can be at greater risk from the heat if you have a heart condition, as high temperatures can put extra strain on your heart.
"Elderly people and very young children have more difficulty regulating their temperature and so can be more at risk from extreme temperatures.
"In hot weather, check on your friends and relatives regularly to make sure they are cool and comfortable.
"The most important way you can protect your heart in the heat is to stay cool and keep hydrated."
Meanwhile, Age UK urged people to check in on older relatives, friends, and neighbours to see if they need anything and to make sure they are not feeling overwhelmed by the excessive heat.
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK charity director, said: "The heat is expected to build during the week, becoming hottest at the weekend and as temperatures rise, those with long-term health conditions impacting their heart, lungs or kidneys can be at extra risk.
"Generally, our bodies find it harder to adapt to more extreme temperatures as we age.
"Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke can all worsen certain conditions, increasing strain on the body, and some medications make us more susceptible to hot weather.
"At Age UK, we want older people to be able to enjoy the sunshine while taking care, so when the weather is really hot, it's a good idea to take some simple precautions such as staying out of direct sunlight and drinking lots of water to stay hydrated.
"It is also worth doing any daily activities, such as going for a walk, shopping, or gardening, before or after the hottest part of the day, which is 11-3pm."
And Dementia UK issued advice and tips on how to support a loved one with dementia.
These include: keeping hydrated; staying cool with appropriate clothing; keeping the person out of the heat; cooling the person down by avoiding hot drinks, alcohol and caffeine; and keeping the home environment cool.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said heat is the "dominant story" this week and temperatures will reach heatwave levels in parts of the UK.
He said: "Saturday is expected to be the peak of this hot spell, with temperatures fairly widely reaching into the low 30 Celsius across parts of England, with high 20s likely as far north as northern and eastern Scotland.
"It will also be very warm at night over the weekend, with the potential for a few places to experience a 'tropical night', when temperatures do not drop below 20C."
Some thundery showers could be seen in northern and western areas on Friday and into the weekend, before fresher conditions arrive later in the weekend and into next week, resulting in temperatures falling and potentially more unsettled weather, the forecaster added.
How to 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.
Remember the following tips if you want to stay safe:
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 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 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.
Source: GOV.UK
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