Heat Health Alert In Place Until June 19th
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced that the heat health alert it issued at the start of June has been extended until June 19th, with all parts of England now under a yellow alert for this period of time.
This means that potential impacts could include increased risk to health for those over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions, as well as increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: “In the coming days we are likely to experience our first sustained period of hot weather of the year so far, so it’s important that everyone ensures they keep hydrated and cool while enjoying the sun.
“Forecasted temperatures this week will primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.”
Keeping cool in a heatwave is a must for us all, but especially for people above a certain age. High temperatures can be very dangerous for your health, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself wherever possible.
Avoid spending too much time outside or exercising between 11:00 and 15:00, as this is the hottest part of the day – and do your best to find shade wherever you can if you are outside. Carry a bottle of water with you when you go out, wear a hat and wear lightweight and light-coloured clothes to help you stay cool.
At home, keeping the windows closed and the blinds down can help regulate interior temperatures. You may also find that it’s more effective to take a cool bath or shower, or use a damp cloth on the back of your neck, instead of using a fan.
With just a few small steps, you should be able to enjoy the summer sun without too much worry. But if you do think you might struggle in the heat, always tell someone and ask them to check on you.
Looking for disabled baths at the moment? Get in touch with Practical Bathing today to see how we can help.
