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Heatwave Alert 2013

Heatwave Action – Current Watch: Level 3

Heatwave – as high temperatures are expected to continue across much of England over the next few days, they are expected to reach or come very close to Level 3 Heat Health Watch criteria in London and Southeast England.

The Heat-Health Watch system comprises four levels of response based upon threshold maximum daytime and minimum night-time temperatures. These thresholds vary by region, but an average threshold temperature is 30 C by day and 15 C overnight.

The very young, the elderly and the seriously ill are the groups who are particularly at risk of health problems when the weather is very hot. In particular, very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse.

Level 3 Heatwave Stage requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups. As an employer you have a duty to protect your employees.

The main risks posed by a heatwave are:

Tips for Coping in Hot Weather:

The following advice applies to everybody when it comes to keeping cool and comfortable and reducing health risks:

Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

Severe heat can cause heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Keeping everyone cool will reduce the risk of getting either. If someone starts to feel unwell, it’s important to seek medical advice.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

If this happens, move the person to somewhere cool and get them to drink plenty of water or fruit juice. If they can, take a lukewarm shower or sponge down with cold water.

Heatstroke can develop if heat exhaustion is left untreated, but it can also occur suddenly and without warning.

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 999 immediately. Heatstroke can result in irreversible damage to the body, including the brain, or death.

More info on Heatwave and what to do is available on the NHS website: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/Heatwaveredalert.aspx [2]