How to keep cool in extremely hot weather
Our
useful booklet provides information to help you plan ahead and prepare for a safe and healthy summer.
- Stay out of the heat
- Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
- If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, sunglasses and light scarf
- Avoid extreme physical exertion
- Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes
Cool yourself down
- Have plenty of cold drinks, but avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content
- Take a cool shower, bath or body wash
- Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck
Be Aware!
Signs of heat stroke include nausea, rise in temperature, hot dry skin, confusion and headaches.
Look out for others
Especially vulnerable groups such as older people, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses.
Travelling on holiday this summer? Get up to date with your vaccinations
If you’re planning on traveling outside the UK, check with your GP that your family are up to date with their vaccinations especially the FREE Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination. You may come into contact with infections like measles while traveling this summer.
Vehicles
Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children and animals.
PPE and heat: Risk of heat stress
Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in warm/hot environments increases the risk of heat stress. The Public Health England and the Health & Safety Executive has provided guidance to help staff keep cool and stay hydrated during the hot weather.
If you are using PPE equipment in any aspect of your work, please ensure you read the guidance
Heat-health risk and Covid-19: Actions to prevent harm:
Water Safety
- During the hot weather, please don’t be tempted to cool off in ponds, lakes and flooded quarries as this is an extremely dangerous activity
- Water that looks inviting on the surface may have hidden dangers underneath, such as rubbish and tangled weeds
- Other water can be pleasingly cool at the edges but very cold when it gets deeper and again, this gives an increased risk of drowning
- The only safe place to take a dip is at places specifically designed for swimming
Fire Safety
- Be aware of another summer hazard – the potential for damaging fires being caused by barbecues
- Use only purpose-manufactured barbecues, be very careful where they are positioned and do not use inside enclosed spaces
- When grass and shrubbery is dry there is always the danger of fire being started by just one stray spark
- A useful tip is to keep a bucket of water handy for when doing any outdoors cooking
- Please ensure you don’t leave litter – it can be potential fuel for a fire
- Please don’t discard cigarettes in the countryside or in fields; dispose of smoking materials properly and always make sure they are completely extinguished
- Clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire
More infomation about fire safety
More information