Heat can be harmful to your health, especially if you have heart, respiratory or serious health problems.
Top tips for keeping cool
- Listen to the weather forecast. If a heatwave is forecast, try and plan your day in a way that allows you to stay out of the heat.
- If you can, avoid going out in the hottest part of the day (11.00am and 3.00pm). If you must go out, stay in the shade. Wear a hat and light, loose fitting clothes, preferably cotton. If you will be outside for some time, take plenty of water with you.
- If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity, like sport, DIY or gardening, keep it for cooler parts of the day, like early morning or evening.
- Keep cool indoors by closing windows when it is hotter outside than inside. Use a fan. Open windows in the evening when it cools down outside.
- Many prescription drugs can reduce your tolerance to heat. You should continue to take your medication, but take extra care to keep cool.
- Eat light meals and salads. Have plenty of cold drinks, avoid excessive alcohol and hot drinks.
- Take cool showers or baths, splash your face and hands with cool water.
- Danger symptoms to watch out for in hot weather include feeling faint and dizzy, short of breath, vomiting or increasing confusion.
- Contact your doctor, a pharmacist or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 if you are worried about your own (or somebody else's) health during a heatwave, especially if you are taking medication, if you feel unwell or have any unusual symptoms.
Further advice about keeping safe in hot weather can be found in the NHS Heatwave booklet.
