Be Prepared for What Could Be London's Hottest Ever Day
Council shares top tops from the NHS on surviving the heatwave
With the temperature in London set to break records this week, H&F Council has shared the top tips from the NHS on how to stay happy and safe in the sunshine.
The Met Office has confirmed there is a 70% likelihood of temperatures rising to 38/39c on Thursday (over 100f), returning to 33/34c (92f) on Friday.
This would be the highest temperature ever recorded in London.
The NHS offers the following tips:
Shut windows and pull down the shades when it's hotter outside. You can open the windows for ventilation when it's cooler.
Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and do not go out between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day) if you're vulnerable to the effects of heat.
Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this is not possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol. Water, lower fat milks and tea and coffee are good options. You can also drink fruit juice, smoothies and soft drinks, but they can be high in sugar. Limit fruit juice or smoothies to a combined total of 150ml a day, and choose diet or sugar-free soft drinks.
Listen to alerts on the radio, TV and social media about keeping cool.
Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any medicines you need.
Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool.
Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat and sunglasses if you go outdoors.
Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.
Its pages on How to Cope in Heat Weather include Public Health England's leaflet, Beat the Heat and its checklist for keeping cool at home.
And if all these advice fails and you are feeling the effects of the heat, is also offers emergency advice on heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
For those seeking to cool down by taking to the water, our borough offers two swimming pools, Fulham Pools off Lillie Road and the Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool at Phoenix Fitness Centre in White City.
For the little ones, there are paddling pools in Ravenscourt Park in Hammersmith and Bishops Park in Fulham.
The heatwave comes one week after H&F Council unanimously agreed to declare a Climate Emergency.
July 24, 2019