Staying Healthy

Skin Awareness, Sun Safety and Skin Cancer

Heatwave

Heatwave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather which may be accompanied by high humidity.  Increasing temperatures in excess of approximately 25ºC are associated with excess summer deaths.  A rise in the number of deaths as a result of very warm weather follows very sharply – within one or two days of the temperature rising.

If you are likely to be at particularly risk, or care for people who could be at risk during a heatwave, it's important that you plan ahead - taking action in advance can help reduce the number of excess deaths from heat.'

Who is at risk?

Those at particular risk during a heatwave include:

• older people, especially those over 75 years old and living on their own, or in a care home;

• people suffering from serious mental ill health, those with dementia, and those who rely on help from other people to manage day-to-day activities;

• people who are bed-bound or have mobility problems;

• people taking certain types of medication;

• people with a serious chronic condition, particularly breathing or heart problems;

• people who already have a high temperature from an infection;

• people who use alcohol or illicit drugs;

• babies and young children, especially under four years old;

• people who are physically active such as manual workers, or sportsmen and women

When the ambient temperature is higher than skin temperature, the only effective heat loss mechanism is sweating.  Therefore, any factor that reduces the effectiveness of sweating such as dehydration, lack of breeze, tight fitting clothes or certain medications can cause the body to overheat.

Steps to take during a heatwave

Listen to bulletins on radio and television and follow health advice.

Keep out of the heat

• If a heatwave is forecast, try to plan your day in a way that allows you to stay out of the heat.

• If possible, avoid going out in the hottest part of the day (11 am – 3 pm).

• If you cannot avoid strenuous activity like sport, DIY, or gardening, keep it for the cooler parts of the day such as early morning or evening.

• If you must go out, stay in the shade. Wear a hat and light loose fitting clothes, preferably cotton.  If you will be outside for some time, take plenty of water with you. 

Stay Cool

The key message for preventing heat-related illness and death is to keep cool!  The best ways to do this include the following:

• If you can, stay inside, in the coolest rooms in the house.

• Reduce heat  from sunlight coming through the windows.  External shading, e.g. shutters, is best. Metal blinds and dark curtains may absorb heat and make the room warmer – replace with curtains with white lining to reflect heat.

• Keep windows closed while the room is cooler than it is outside and open them when the temperature inside rises, and at night for ventilation.  If you are worried about security, at least open the windows on the first floor and above, if possible.

• Take cool showers or baths and splash yourself several times a day with cold water, particularly your face and the back of your neck.  A loose, cotton, damp cloth or scarf on the back of the neck can also help you to stay cool.

• Indoor and outdoor plants will help keep your home cool due to evaporation and the shading from trees and bushes.

• Have your loft and cavity wall insulated - this keeps the heat in when it’s cold and out when it’s hot.

Drink regularly

• Have plenty of cold drinks, even if you do not feel thirsty - water and fruit juice are best - avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.

• Eat as you normally would.  Try to eat more cold food, particularly salads and fruit, which contain water.

Help others

• Older people are much more prone to the effects of heat. You can help older relatives or neighbours by checking on them, if possible, every day, and reminding them to drink plenty and often.  They should have a mixture of drinks including fruit juice and water

• Help them to keep their house as cool as possible, drawing curtains, opening windows at night, or using a fan if necessary.

• Be alert and call NHS Direct (0845 4647) or a doctor if someone is unwell.

What symptoms should you look out for?

In a severe heatwave, extra strain is placed on the heart as it tries to cool the body - this can lead to an increase in heart related illnesses.

Additionally, air quality often gets worse during a heatwave, which can make respiratory symptoms worse.  In more extreme situations, one can overheat and dehydrate, leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.  If you have a heart or respiratory problem, this may make your symptoms worse.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• headaches

• dizziness

• nausea and vomiting

• muscle weakness or cramps

• pale skin

• a sudden rise in temperature.

If you are suffering from worsening of heart or respiratory symptoms or heat exhaustion you should move somewhere cool and drink plenty of water or fruit juice.  If possible, take a lukewarm shower, or sponge yourself with cold water.  If symptoms are of concern, call NHS Direct or your Doctor.

If heat exhaustion is left untreated, heatstroke can develop, but it can also occur suddenly and without warning.  Remember, heatstroke can kill.  It can develop very suddenly, and rapidly lead to unconsciousness.  If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 999 immediately.

Further information on heat related illnesses can be found on the NHS Choices website. 

Heatwave Plan

The Department of Health has issued a ‘Heatwave Plan for England’, together with associated factsheets and public information, all of which are available on the Department of Health website.

A heat-Health Watch system operates in England from 1 June to the 15 September annually.  During this period, the Met Office issues information regarding the likelihood of a heatwave occurring and provides alerts if threshold temperatures are, or are likely to be reached.  Further information regarding the Heat-Health Watch system, including the current alert level, is available on the Met Office website.

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