Enjoying the sun is something that must be done safely, especially when temperatures are excessive and causing a risk to health
What problems can be caused by a heatwave?
Dehydration: Not having enough water
Overheating: This can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke: Headache, dizziness, nausea and vomitting, pale skin, cramps and high temperature
If you feel you have heat exhaustion, you should move somehwere cool and makes sure you take on plenty of water. Heat exhaustion can turn into heatstroke, and this can occur without warning.
Heatstroke can cause serious damage to your body or even death
Who are the people most at risk?
Older people
Babies and young children
People with a serious chronic condition, especially heart or breathing problems
People with mobility problems – for example, Parkinson’s disease or stroke related
People with serious mental health problems
People on certain medications, including those that affect sweating and temperature control
People who misuse alcohol or drugs
People who are physically active – for example, labourers or those doing sports
What should you do?
Keep out of the heat – plan your day so you can stay out of the heat as much as possible. Particularly between 11am – 3pm. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Wear loose fitting clothes and take on plenty of fluid, preferably water.
Stay cool – stay inside the coolest rooms, and close curtains in rooms that get a lot of sun. Keep windows closed while the room temperature is lower than the outside. Have a cool bath or splash face and neck with cold water frequently
Drink plenty – even if you don’t feel thirsty, it is best to take on plenty of fluid. Water and fruit juices are the best options, whilst tea, coffee or alcohol are the worst, due to the fact they can cause dehydration.
Eat normally – especially cold meals such as salad or fruit
Call an ambulance if you need to
Heatstroke can kill. It can develop very suddenly and
may lead very quickly to unconsciousness
If you suspect someone has heatstroke call 999 immediately
DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN OR PARACETAMOL
