Stay Safe and Well in the Summer Heat

Posted by: philheiden - Posted on:

As temperatures rise, it’s important for everyone to take precautions to stay safe and well in the hot weather. While many of us enjoy the sunshine, high temperatures can pose a risk to our health, particularly for vulnerable patient groups.

Your health and well-being are our top priority. We’re sharing some essential advice from the NHS to help you cope during periods of hot weather and avoid heat-related illnesses.

Who is most at risk?

Hot weather can affect anyone, but some people are more vulnerable to serious health impacts. These include:

  • Older people (especially those over 75)
  • Babies and young children
  • People with long-term health conditions (e.g., heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, mental health conditions)
  • Those on certain medications
  • People who live alone or in care homes
  • Individuals who are physically active outdoors or work in manual labour roles

Top tips for coping in hot weather:

  1. Stay out of the heat:
    • Try to keep indoors or in the shade, especially between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun is strongest.
    • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day. If you must be active, plan for early morning or late evening.
  2. Cool yourself down:
    • Have cold food and drinks.
    • Take cool baths or showers.
    • Sprinkle water over your skin or clothes.
    • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and hot drinks, as these can dehydrate you.
  3. Keep your living space cool:
    • Close windows and pull down blinds or curtains during the day, especially on sun-facing windows, to block out heat.
    • Open windows at night when the temperature outside has dropped to allow air to circulate.
    • Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment, as these generate heat.
  4. Stay hydrated:
    • Drink plenty of cold drinks, especially water, throughout the day. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty.
    • Even if you’re not feeling hungry, eat a balanced diet to help your body replace any salt lost through sweating.
  5. Look out for others:
    • Check on elderly relatives, friends, and neighbours, especially those who live alone or have underlying health conditions.
    • Ensure babies, young children, older people, and pets are never left alone in parked cars or other closed spaces.

Recognising Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke:

It’s crucial to know the signs of heat-related illnesses.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion can include:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness and confusion
  • Loss of appetite and feeling sick
  • Excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
  • Cramps in the arms, legs, and stomach
  • Fast breathing or pulse
  • High temperature
  • Intense thirst

If you or someone else is showing signs of heat exhaustion, move to a cool place, get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly, give them plenty of water or a rehydration drink, and cool their skin (e.g., with cool water spray or damp cloths). They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment. Call 999 if someone:

  • Is still unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled, and drinking fluids.
  • Has a very high temperature.
  • Has hot, red skin that’s not sweating.
  • Has a fast heartbeat.
  • Is confused, restless, staggering, or has a seizure.
  • Loses consciousness.

For more detailed information and advice on how to cope in hot weather, please visit NHS.uk:

Stay safe and enjoy the summer responsibly!