Keep Cool during This Week's Heatwave

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H&F council offers advice for coping with high temperatures

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has offered advice to residents on coping with the current heatwave.

Temperatures are predicted to reach a scorching 36°C as searing weather from Europe hits southern England.

Vulnerable people and those fasting are at particular risk during what will be the hottest days of the year so far with heatwave conditions expected to last till Thursday morning.

" For many of us the hot weather is welcome, but with it comes with a significant risk for older residents, children and those with long-term illnesses," says Cllr Vivienne Lukey, H&F Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care.

" Residents fasting during Ramadan may also be at higher risk and balancing food and fluid intake between fasts is essential.

" It is important to stay well hydrated with plenty of cool drinks and find shade where possible if outside and keep indoor areas as cool as possible with open windows or air-conditioning. We are encouraging everyone to keep an eye out for neighbours and to maybe give older relatives a ring to check they’re keeping cool."

During the 2003 heatwave, which lasted ten days, there were more than 2,000 excess deaths between 4 to 13 August, compared to the same period over the previous five years.

More information and advice from Public Health England on staying safe in hot weather can be found here.

Further information is also available from the Muslim Council of Britain and the NHS.

Key advice for keeping safe in the heat:

• try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm
• apply sunscreen of at least SPF15 with UVA protection
• wear UV sunglasses, preferably wraparound, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes
• wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes, a hat and light scarf
• drink lots of cool drinks
• look out for others especially vulnerable groups such as older people, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses
• never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.

July 1, 2015