Heat health for Herefordshire

Herefordshire can expect high temperatures over the next few days, according to forecasters. The Met Office this week declared an amber heat health alert, meaning there is likely to be significant impact on particular at-risk individuals and on health and social care services.   

The government’s advice for staying safe in hot weather is:

• Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of day, between 11am to 3pm
• If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog) plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening
• Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen
• Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake
• Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
• Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them.

Zoe Clifford, Herefordshire Council’s director of public health, says:

Whilst it’s lovely to have some warm weather, it’s important that we take the necessary precautions to enjoy it safely and look out for those in the community who are at risk from the effects of heat.

For more information, see help and advice on the Talk Community website, or visit the government’s staying safe in hot weather webpage.