Heatwaves

Most of us enjoy warm and sunny weather, but when it's too hot for too long there are health risks. High temperatures can be extremely dangerous, and sometimes fatal, especially for:

  • The elderly
  • The very young
  • People with chronic or long-term medical conditions

What are the risks

The main risks posed by a heatwave are:

If you're worried about your health during a heatwave, talk to your GP, pharmacist, or visit the NHS website.

Staying safe

  • Stay out of the heat
  • Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
  • Carry out strenuous outdoor activities, like DIY or gardening, during the cooler parts of the day (such as early morning)
  • If you must go out, stay in the shade, wear a hat and apply sun cream
  • Wear light, loose-fitting clothes, preferably cotton

For more information, take a look at the NHS heatwave pages.