Health and extreme weather events

High temperatures can be dangerous and sometimes fatal for:

• elderly people
• young children and babies
• people with chronic / long term medical conditions.

The main risks during a heat wave are:

• dehydration
• heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Staying safe
There are a number of ways to stay safe during a heat wave.
Please note: do not cool off in open water as this can be extremely dangerous.

• Stay out of the heat:
  • keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
  • wear light, loose-fitting clothes
  • If you must go out, stay in the shade, wear a hat and apply sun cream.
• Stay cool:
  • stay inside
  • close curtains in the rooms that get a lot of sun
  • keep windows closed when the room is cooler then outside
  • open the windows then the temperature rises inside
  • open windows at night for ventilation
  • take cool showers or baths and splash your face and back of your neck with cool water regularly
  • listen to alerts on the radio, TV and social media.
• Drinking regularly:
  
  • drink regularly even if you do not feel thirsty – water and fruit juice are best
  • avoid tea, coffee and alcohol
  • eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit which contain water.
• Sunscreen and safety: 
  • When buying sunscreen, the label should have:
    
    • a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB
    • at least 4-star UVA protection
    • UVA protection can also be indicated by the letters "UVA" in a circle, which indicates that it meets the EU standard. Make sure the sunscreen is not past its expiry date. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of 2 to 3 years.
  • Do not spend any longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.
  • Visit the NHS website for more information about sunscreen and sun safety and visit the NHS website for more information on keeping your baby safe in the sun.
• Sunburn:
  • Try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, when UV radiation is strongest.
  • If you have to go out in the heat, wear UV sunglasses, preferably wraparound, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes. Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 with UVA protection and wear a hat. Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes. This should reduce the risk of sunburn.
  • Visit the UKHSA YouTube Account to watch The Dangers of UV on our Health video.

• Check on others:

  • Check on older people or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during hot weather.

• Stay hydrated:

  • Stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.

  • If you need to travel, ensure you take water with you.

• Physical activity:

  • Avoid extreme physical exertion. If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity, such as sport, DIY or gardening, keep it for cooler parts of the day – for example, in the early morning or evening.

• Keeping the home cool:

  • Keep your environment cool: keeping your living space cool is especially important for those who need to stay at home this summer.

  • Shade or cover windows exposed to direct sunlight and keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day. External shutters or shades, if you have them, are very effective, while internal blinds or curtains are less effective. Care should be taken with metal blinds and dark curtains, as these can absorb heat.

  • If possible and safe, open windows at night if it feels cooler outside.

  • Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment – they generate heat.

  • During the hottest periods find the coolest part of your home or garden/outside or local green space to sit in. If going outdoors, use cool spaces considerately.

• On car journeys:

  • Ensure that babies, children, or older people are not left alone in parked cars, which can quickly overheat.

• Look out for the signs of heat-related harm:

  • If you feel dizzy, weak or have intense thirst and a headache, move to a cool place as soon as possible. Drink some water or diluted fruit juice to rehydrate. Avoid excess alcohol.

  • If you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms, or abdomen), rest immediately in a cool place and drink electrolyte drinks. Most people should start to recover within 30 mins and if not, you should seek medical help.

  • Seek help from a GP or contact NHS 111 if you or someone else is feeling unwell and shows symptoms of:

  • breathlessness

  • chest pain

  • confusion

  • cramps that get worse or don't go away

  • dizziness

  • intense thirst

  • weakness.

Call 999 if a person develops any signs of heatstroke as this is a medical emergency. Further information about heatstroke and heat-related illness is available on the NHS website.

Seek help from a GP or contact NHS 111 if someone is feeling unwell and shows symptoms of:

• breathlessness
• chest pain
• confusion
• cramps that get worse or don't go away
• dizziness
• intense thirst
• weakness.

NHS guidance
Visit the NHS Website for guidance on how to cope in hot weather, heat exhaustion (heatstroke) and dehydration. 

Heatwaves can often be accompanied by periods of drought and it is important to be prepared for this. 

For more information on droughts, and the actions you can take, please see: https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/droughts/ 

For information on water supply interruptions: https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/water-supply-interruptions-or-outages/

For more information on what your water company is expected to do: https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/drought/ 

And for information about health: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-health-impact-of-drought-advice-for-the-public

Private water supplies:
If you are on a Private Water Supply, please see out Private Water Supply ‘Emergencies Page’ for information: https://www.telford.gov.uk/health-protection/food-health-and-safety/private-water-supplies/

During warm weather going for a swim can provide much welcomed relief, but you should take care and follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down. 

Visit the RLSS UK website for information on summer water safety.
Visit Vimeo to watch the Drowning - Its Up To You Royal Life Saving Society UK video.

If you have children, watch this YouTube video with them to help them understand the Water Safety Code, designed to provide simple and easy-to-remember information.

There is also the simple and easy-to-remember steps in the Royal Life Saving Society’s Water Safety Code, to follow both before entering the water and in the event of an incident, to help to keep you and others safe.

• stop and think: take time to assess your surroundings. Look for the dangers and always research local signs and advice.
• stay together: when around water always go with friends or family. Swim at a lifeguarded venue.
• call 999: ask for the Fire and Rescue Service when inland and the coastguard if at the coast. Don't enter the water to rescue.
• float: if you fall in or become tired, stay clam, float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in.

You can read Telford and Wrekin’s Open Water Policy here: https://www.telford.gov.uk/health-protection/water-safety/

Working in hot temperatures
Employers must ensure workers are protected during hot weather.
There's no law for maximum working temperature, or when it's too hot to work, because every workplace is different.
HSE's website has a practical step guide on temperature in the workplace.

The Government have information and guidance to help understand the risks of heat the consider actions to protect health

• Heat summary - social care managers
• Heat summary - healthcare professionals
• Heat summary - professionals working with homeless people
• Heat summary - teachers and those working with children

For guidance on Hot Weather events and planning events: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hot-weather-advice-mass-gatherings-and-planning-events 

UKHSA Advice for festival goers:

Summer is here, which means festival season is in full swing, and people are organising days out and vacations at home and abroad. Whatever you’ve got planned, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding people of some top health tips to make sure it’s a summer to remember for all the right reasons.

1. Avoid catching measles – is everyone up to date with their MMR?
   Measles is highly infectious; cases are rising in England and there are outbreaks in Europe and other continents. Families are advised to check if they’re up to date with essential vaccines like MMR, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Measles especially can have serious complications and, in some cases, even prove fatal – at the very least, it will ruin your holiday.
   
   Measles - what to look out for:
   • high temperature
     
   • runny or blocked nose
     
   • sneezing and cough
     
   • sore, red, watery eyes
     
   • a blotchy red-brown rash usually appears a few days after the cold-
   • like symptoms, often starting around the ears then spreading to the body 
     
   • the rash is not usually itchy and can be raised and join together to form blotchy patches – it may be harder to see on darker skin tones
     
   • symptoms can take from 7 to 21 days to develop from contact with an infected person – so they may still be infectious while appearing well
     Important to remember:
   • anyone who’s been in contact with a case of measles will need to stay away from nursery/ school/ college/ work etc for the 21 days ‘incubation period’
2. Beat the heat – by being sun safe and staying hydrated 
   Whether at home or abroad, it’s important to enjoy the sun safely. Also make sure you look out for people who are less able to cope in higher temperatures.
   
   Advice for hot weather
   • Stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
   • If you need to travel, ensure you take water with you
     
   • Avoid extreme physical exertion – or try to keep it for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening
   • Seek shade during the hottest parts of the day – especially from 11am to 3am, when UV radiation is strongest
     
   • If you go out in the heat – wear UV sunglasses, apply sunscreen of at least SPF30 with 4 or 5 star UVA protection, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and light, loose-fitting cotton clothes
     
   • On car journeys – ensure babies, children or older people are not left alone in parked cars, which can quickly overheat
     
   • If you feel dizzy, weak or have intense thirst and a headache – move to a cool place as soon as possible and drink some water or diluted fruit juice
     
   • If you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen) rest in a cool place and drink electrolyte drinks. If you don’t start to recover within 30 minutes, call 111
     
   • Call 999 if a person develops any signs of heatstroke as this is a medical emergency – symptoms are feeling unwell after 30 minutes resting in a cool place and drinking plenty of water, not sweating even while feeling too hot, a high temperature of 40oC or above, fast breathing or shortness of breath, feeling confused, a fit (seizure), loss of consciousness, unresponsive
3. Avoid nasty stomach bugs
   Whether you’re visiting an animal attraction, picnicking in the park, camping in the forest or barbecuing in the garden, hand and food hygiene are important
   

   What to do to prevent and treat stomach bugs:

   • Stay at home if you have any symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting
   • Don’t mix outside until 48 hours clear of symptoms
     Stay hydrated
   • Wash hands regularly and thoroughly in soap and water – especially after visiting the toilet, and before preparing or eating food
   • Try not to prepare food for others while infectious
   • In any areas where a person has had an episode of illness, use a bleach-based cleaning fluid to clean any surfaces
   • Boil wash any laundry soiled during an episode of illness
     
     
4. Be Tick Aware
   Peak tick season in the UK usually begins in March and runs until October, with most bites commonly reported during May and June – though ticks can be active all year round.
   

   Advice for reducing risk of tick bites and removing ticks:

   • The use of insect repellents such as DEET can prevent ticks from climbing onto clothing or attaching to skin (always follow manufacturers’ instructions
   • When outside, regularly check clothing and exposed skin for ticks and brush them off immediately
   • Consider wearing long sleeved tops and trousers to reduce the direct exposure of skin to ticks
   • Walk on clearly defined paths to avoid brushing against vegetation where ticks may be present
   • If you’ve spent time outdoors, check your skin and clothes for ticks when you get home – also check children and pets
   • Remove ticks as soon as possible – the safest way is to use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool

Paul Fisher, UKHSA West Midlands Health Protection Consultant, said: “We want people to have a fabulous summer – whether they’re going to a festival, enjoying days out, or off on holiday. One of the best ways to help keep your family healthy is to make sure everyone is up to date with their routine vaccinations including MenACWY, which protects against life-threatening illnesses like meningitis and sepsis; and MMR, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Measles is highly infectious and spreads quickly in unvaccinated populations. It’s a nasty virus, which can cause complications needing hospitalisation, and can even be fatal. However, the most recent data shows that only around 85% of children in the West Midlands have had both doses of their MMR vaccine by 5 years old. Unsurprisingly, we’ve started to see measles cases in the region, mainly in young children who have not been vaccinated. 

“Anyone who’s been in contact with a person with measles, but hasn’t had any doses of MMR, will need to stay away from nursery, school, college or work for 21 days – the time it can take for measles symptoms to show while still being infectious. The vaccine is highly effective, and there’s also a version produced without the use of pork gelatine. People need TWO doses of MMR to ensure maximum protection, and it’s never too late to catch up. 

“Other important ways to reduce risk of infection is good hand hygiene. Make sure you wash hands regularly in soap and water – especially after going to the toilet, and before eating or preparing food. 

“During hot weather, make sure you stay hydrated and slap on the sun cream (at least SPF30 and with 4 or 5 star UVA protection), wear a wide-brimmed hat, light, loose-fitting cotton clothes and protect eyes with sunglasses. And remember it’s tick season, so consider wearing long sleeves and trousers when out in grassy areas; and check yourself for ticks and bites when you get home.”

For more information contact UKHSA West Midlands press office on 0121 232 9223 Out Of Hours 07769 880 708

Pet Welfare in Hot Weather
Britain's RSPCA animal charity has issued advice on how people can help their pets stay cool as the mercury soars.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/seasonal/summer

• Visit the GOV.UK website for information on adverse weather and health plan.
• Visit the NHS website for information on heatwaves and how to cope in hot weather.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information on how to beat the heat and staying safe in hot weather.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information on how to beat the heat and keep cool at home checklist.
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information on how to beat the heat (.pdf Size: 363Kb).
• Visit the GOV.UK website for information on the public health impact of drought.