Following on from this morning’s Met Office announcement of a Level 3 heatwave warning for some parts of the country, we urge the public to take measures to avoid preventable effects to health during the heat.
There are severe health risks resulting from exposure to extreme heat and the sun and it is vital that the public are cautious and pay attention to health warnings.
High-risk Groups, which refers to individuals in the community as well in care homes and hospitals and include the ill, elderly, young, are particularly vulnerable and health professionals and services have been advised to take action to protect such individuals.
While the ill and elderly are most at risk from the hot weather, it is also important that individuals remember that even those who are physically fit can still suffer from the effects and should take precautions to avoid health risks such as dehydration, heatstroke and sun burn.
Talking about the heat wave Shirley Cramer, Chief Executive of RSPH said “while the hot weather is being welcomed by many, it is important we do not forget the potential health risks from heat exposure and the sun.
Following simple measures such as avoiding unnecessary physical exertion, keeping medicines stored in a cool place and staying out of direct sunlight during peak hours can significantly reduce the risk of heat related health problems and it is our responsibility to communicate these key public health messages and ensure the most vulnerable in our community are kept safe.”
Level 3 alerts are created when threshold temperatures have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day has a greater than 90% confidence level that the day threshold temperature will again be met.
The Heatwave Plan for England has been created to ensure professionals and organisations as well as individuals and communities know how to implement interventions and actions to reduce major avoidable effects to health during periods of severe heat in England. The plan provides information on the actions which should be taken during a level 3 alert.
For more advice on how to stay safe in hot weather, please refer to Public Health England’s SunSense page.
