The Isle of Wight Council is warning that those with underlying, long-term health issues, particularly heart and lung conditions, need to be especially cautious as the heatwave continues – with 37c expected on the Isle of Wight on Monday and Tuesday.
Temperatures in excess of 35c are expected in the South East on Sunday (17th July) through to Tuesday (19th July), with an amber weather warning issued by IW Met Service, as previously reported by Island Echo.
Councillor Karl Love, Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, has said that severe heat is dangerous to everyone, but people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are particularly vulnerable:
“When temperatures remain abnormally high for a prolonged period of more than a few days, it can prove stressful and even fatal for some.
“That is why it is really important that we all heed the advice to help keep ourselves well and do all that we can to take care of young children, the elderly and those with a long-standing medical condition — even checking in on family who don’t live with you, friends and neighbours, if you can.
“Remember to slap on that sunscreen and wear hats and ensure you don’t spend too much time in the sun. Please use factor 30 and above and apply it regularly.”
Things to note:
Higher temperatures may exacerbate the effects of air pollution, which can make respiratory symptoms worse.
The effect of heat on the cardiovascular system can be a strain on the heart as large quantities of blood need to circulate to the skin to keep cool. The additional pressure on the heart could be enough to precipitate a cardiac event.
People on medications that control the balance of the body’s natural salts and minerals, or medications to control cardiac (heart) function are also at risk, as sweating and dehydration will affect that balance and can inhibit the ability to sweat, thereby making a person more vulnerable to the effects of heat.
Young children’s susceptibility to high temperatures varies. Children cannot control their body temperature as efficiently as adults during hot weather because they do not sweat as much and so can be at risk of ill-health from heat. This can range from mild heat stress to more serious and potentially life-threatening heatstroke. The main risk from heat for children is dehydration.
It is important for people to avoid getting hot in the first place and, if hot, to give the body a break from the heat by moving to a cooler part of the house, finding some shaded green space (it may be cooler outside in the shade than it is indoors), or by having a cool bath or shower.
Advice as the temperature rises is to:
- stay out of the sun between 11:00 and 15:00
- apply sunscreen, wear loose, lightweight cotton clothing, a hat, and sunglasses
- have plenty of cold drinks – avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
- avoid physical exertion including DIY or gardening as well as sport and exercise, but if it can’t be avoided try to keep to doing more vigorous exertion in the early morning or evening when it is cooler
- children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days, such as when temperatures are above 30c.
Keep your environment cool:
- Keep your bedroom and living space cool by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun and opening your windows at cooler times of the day – in the early morning and overnight
- Turn off non-essential lights and electrical items as these generate heat
- Electric fans may provide some relief if temperatures are below 35c (but do not aim them directly at the body).
- Seek medical advice if you have a chronic long-term condition or are taking multiple medications and become unwell due to the heat
- Keep medications that require storing below 25c in the fridge
- Follow storage instructions on packaging
For information on heat-related illnesses and what to do should you or someone you know feel unwell, visit the NHS website.
Call NHS 111 or a GP if you or someone you know becomes unwell. Call 999 in an emergency.
Those with health conditions and the elderly I should imagine are well aware of the situation and what precautions they need to take. I would be more concerned for the locals not in this category who will be planning get-togethers or parties of some sort which will involve alcohol. The drinking of alcohol in this heat, along with other strenuous activities is the danger. If this heat wave is to become the norm which they are predicting then perhaps we should do what other hot countries do, shut up shops from peak heat times and open later until 9pm. We can then all chill out together and wait for the heat wave to dissipate.
oh look we have our own heat map…i can stay here now and not go a 37 c country now cheers hot weather…
Stay in the shade and drink plenty of water, keeping fluids up is important.
Stay safe.
Only go out if absolutely necessary.
or just go down the beach and enjoy the weather while it lasts..