Article 15 July 2022 Extreme Heat Warning With heats expected to rise to over 35 ®C from Sunday and early part of next week it is important to keep ourselves safe and look out for people who may be more vulnerable. The met office has now issued a ‘Red’ heat health warning. Here is some advice to keep cool and reduce the risks of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Working in the heat Working in the heat can be uncomfortable, and we should think about the risks and how we can minimise them. If your job involves working outside or in places where the temperature is high, we are encouraging people to think about how they can work to reduce the risks, this might mean altering your working hours, temporarily, to avoid working in the hottest part of the day, taking regular breaks in the shade, delaying work that has increased risks, speak to your manager about how the risks are being managed. For those people who work inside in our offices and building, most can enjoy the air conditioning which should make it more comfortable for many than being at home. Travel Before travelling in hot weather, check travel conditions, plan and leave plenty of time for journeys. Make sure that you have water or fluids with you, to sip during your journey but vital if you get stuck in traffic or delay on trains. Make sure that you have enough fuel or battery before travelling, be mindful that the air conditioning in your vehicle will increase fuel/energy consumption. The rail companies are also predicting that there may be disruption to some services Stay out of the sun Whilst it might be tempting to bask in the sun, it will increase the risks from the heat and also the risk of sunburn. Limit your time in the direct sun and make sure that you use a good quality sun cream of SPF 30 or above. Stay hydrated It can be easy to quickly become dehydrated in high temperatures, make sure that you drink plenty of fluids to keep you cool. Water, rehydration or sports drinks as well as juice can help to keep you hydrated. Eating food with high water content is another good way to stay hydrated, such as fruit, cucumber and salads. Vulnerable people The high temperatures can be more dangerous to some people, such as elderly people, young children and people with some health conditions. Make sure that you check in with people who might be more vulnerable to make sure they are ok. Cool down A great tip to keep you cool is to wet your pulse points, wrists, and neck, with cold water. We all have tips to help us stay cool, and we would love to hear yours. For more information Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather – NHS (www.nhs.uk) Beat the heat: keep cool at home checklist – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
