Warwickshire residents urged to take care in heatwave - The Rugby Observer

Warwickshire residents urged to take care in heatwave

Rugby Editorial 21st Jul, 2021 Updated: 21st Jul, 2021   0

WARWICKSHIRE residents are being urged to take care in the heat.

The Met Office and Public Health England have issued the first ever Amber Extreme Heat Warning as large areas of the UK continue to see hot conditions this week.

While welcomed by most, hot weather can be a hazard to health – particularly to older people, the very young and people with long term conditions

Public Health Warwickshire is delivering some simple guidance on how to enjoy the hot weather sensibly.




Warwickshire County Council’s health spokeswoman Margaret Bell said: “Throughout hot spells, susceptible groups, such as older people, the very young and people with long term conditions, feel the severe effects of heat more than others and it’s long been known that death rates increase in heat waves.

“The greatest advice is to relax, stay cool, drink lots of cold liquids and, if you can, keep an eye on individuals you know to be at risk.


“It is important to recognise the health dangers that extreme heat can bring and know the signs of heat-related illnesses to try and avert these.

“Be a good neighbour, check in on friends, family and neighbours who may be vulnerable to the heat and make certain you protect yourself by taking all the required actions.”

Public Health Warwickshire has issued the following guidance to try and keep people well in the sun and heat:

– Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm.

– Wear UV sunglasses, if possible wraparound, to lessen UV exposure to the eyes.

– Walk in the shade.

– Put on sunscreen of at least SPF15 or preferably SPF50 with UVA protection.

– Wear a hat and light scarf.

– Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.

– Keep hydrated with cool drinks.

– Look out for others, particularly older people, children, babies and individuals with serious illnesses; and

– Do not leave anybody in a shut, parked vehicle, particularly infants, young children or animals.

The Extreme Heat Warning will be in force until the end of Thursday. It comes as the forecast continues to signal for unusually high temperatures, as well as continuing high nighttime temperatures creating potential impacts for health.

Visit www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2021/extreme-heat-warning-issued-for-western-areas for more details.

 

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