Tips to help you cope with the heat

The Met Office has issued an amber heat-health alert for parts of England, from 12pm Tuesday, 5 September to 9pm Sunday, 10 September.  Follow our tips to help you cope with the heat. 

• Keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed and screened during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped.

• Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm. 

• Avoid extreme physical exertion during the hot weather. If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity, keep it for cooler parts of the day e.g., early morning or evening.

• Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes. 

• If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf. 

• Don’t leave babies, children, older people or vulnerable people or pets alone in stationary cars in hot weather

• 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). 

• If possible, move into a cooler room, especially when sleeping. 

• Have cool baths or showers and splash yourself with cold water. 

• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol. 

• If you or others feel unwell, get dizzy, feel weak, anxious or have intense thirst, move to a cool place, rehydrate and cool your body down.

• Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may not be able to look after themselves. 

• Keep indoor plants and bowls of water in the house during hot weather: evaporation helps cool the air.

• Stay connected, keep listening to the weather forecast.

For further information on how to keep cool in the heat, visit NHS website and to keep up-to-date with the weather, the Met Office.