Council issues advice ahead of heatwave

 

A heatwave is expected to engulf parts of England tomorrow and Wednesday – with Cheshire East possibly seeing temperatures of up to 30C.

The Met Office says there is a 60 per cent possibility of ‘heatwave conditions’ between noon on Tuesday, June 30 and 6am on Thursday, July 2 in the North West and an 80 per cent chance for other parts of the country.

Cheshire East Council is urging residents to check in on their friends and neighbours, who may be vulnerable to the heat. People might be able to offer to do their shopping for them, for example, so they don’t have to go out in the hot weather.

The authority also stresses that babies, children or elderly people should not be left alone in stationary cars.

If people are worried about their health during a heatwave they should contact their doctor, a pharmacist or NHS 111, especially if they are taking medication, feel unwell or have any unusual symptoms.

Cheshire East is briefing staff to ensure carers have the information they need to keep vulnerable adults safe and well during this period and is sharing tips on keeping cool and well during a heatwave on its Twitter and Facebook pages.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health has published a Heatwave Plan for England, which is intended to protect people from heat-related harm to health. To find out more, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england.

Some key advice from the Government is as follows:

How to keep the heat out:

• Keep curtains on windows exposed to the sun closed while the temperature outside is higher than it is inside;

• Once the temperature outside has dropped lower than it is inside, open the windows – this may require late night visiting and such advice needs to be balanced by any possible security concerns;

• Water external and internal plants and spray the ground outside windows with water (avoid creating slip hazards) to help cool the air (however, check local drought water restrictions before using hosepipes);

• Advise the person to stay out of the sun, especially between the hours of 11am and 3pm;

• Advise them to stay in the shade and to wear hats, sunscreen, thin scarves and light clothing if going outside.

How to keep body temperatures down:

• Ensure that the person reduces their levels of physical exertion;

• Suggest they take regular cool showers or baths, or at least an overall body wash;

• Advise them to wear light, loose cotton clothes to absorb sweat and prevent skin irritation;

• Suggest that they sprinkle their clothes with water regularly, and splash cool water on their face and the back of their neck. A damp cloth on the back of the neck helps temperature regulation;

• Recommend cold food, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content;

• Advise them to drink regularly, preferably water or fruit juice, but avoid alcohol and caffeine (tea, coffee, colas);

• Monitor their daily fluid intake, particularly if they have several carers or are not always able to drink unaided.

Provide extra care:

• Keep in regular contact throughout the heatwave, and try to arrange for someone to visit at least once a day;

• Keep giving advice on what to do to help keep cool;

• During extended periods of raised temperatures ensure that persons over the age of 65 are advised to increase their fluid intake to reduce the risk of blood-stream infections.