Looking after yourself in very hot weather

Looking after yourself in very hot weather

Most of us enjoy sunny weather, but extreme heat can seriously damage your health or even be fatal. During a heatwave, when the temperature stays really high day after day, it is important that you look after yourself properly.

Risks during a heatwave

In a severe heatwave, you may get dehydrated and your body may overheat. This can lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which both need urgent treatment.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

headache
dizziness
nausea and vomiting
muscle weakness or cramps
pale skin
high temperature

If you think you might have heat exhaustion you should move somewhere cool and drink plenty of water. If you can, take a lukewarm shower or sponge yourself down with cold water.

If heat exhaustion is left untreated, you may develop heatstroke. Heatstroke can also occur suddenly and without any warning.

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

headache
nausea
intense thirst
sleepiness
hot, red and dry skin
a sudden rise in temperature
confusion
aggression
convulsions
loss of consciousness

Heatstroke can cause serious damage to your body or even death.

If you have these symptoms during a heatwave, rest for a few hours, keep cool and drink water. If the symptoms don’t go away or get worse, seek medical advice

Those at most risk

Heat can affect anyone, but some people are at greater risk of serious harm from the effects of extreme heat. These include:

older people
babies and young children
people with mental health problems
people on certain types of medication – you can check with your doctor to find out if you are at risk
people with a chronic (long-term) health condition such as breathing or heart problems
people who already have a high temperature from an infection
people who consume alcohol or use illegal drugs
people with mobility problems
people who are physically active such as manual workers or sportspeople

If anyone you know is likely to be at risk during a heatwave, help them to get the advice and support they need. Older people living on their own should be visited daily to check they are ok.

What you should do

There are some steps that you can take to make sure that you and your family are protected from the dangers of very hot weather:

Keep out of the heat

if a heatwave is forecast, plan your day so that you can stay out of the heat when possible
try to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day (11.00 am to 3.00 pm)
avoid strenuous outdoor activity such as sport or gardening or at least keep it for cooler parts of the day
if you must go out, stay in the shade and wear a hat and loose-fitting cotton clothes if possible
if you are outside, take plenty of water with you
do not leave babies or children alone in a stationary car

Stay cool

stay inside in the coolest rooms in your home
close the curtains in rooms that get a lot of sun
keep windows closed while the room is cooler than it is outside and open them when the temperature inside rises – if you are worried about security, at least open windows on the first floor and above
take cool showers or baths and splash yourself several times a day with cold water, especially your face and the back of your neck

Drink plenty

drink regularly even if you do not feel thirsty – water or fruit juice are best
try to avoid alcohol, tea and coffee – they make dehydration worse
eat as you normally would – try to eat more cold food, especially salads and fruit

Call an ambulance if you need to.

Remember, heatstroke can kill. It can develop very suddenly and may lead very quickly to unconsciousness. If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 999 immediately.

While waiting for the ambulance:

move the person somewhere cooler if possible
increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan
cool them down as quickly as possible by loosening their clothes, sprinkling them with cold water or wrapping them in a damp sheet
if they are conscious, give them water to drink
do not give them aspirin or paracetamol

More useful links

Hot weather advice
Smart sunbathing
Protection from the sun

For further advice look online:

www.nidirect.gov.uk/looking-after-yourself-in-very-hot-weather