The deadly hidden dangers of heatwaves - and how to keep yourself safe
Nearly 600 deaths are expected across England and Wales due to the current heatwave, scientists have warned.
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London estimate around 570 excess deaths between Thursday and Sunday, based on historic mortality data.
The new research follows a World Weather Attribution (WWA) research group study which found the heatwave has been made about 100 times more likely and 2-4C hotter due to climate change.
Temperatures could reach 30C on Saturday, following highs of 29C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on Friday, according to the Met Office.
It comes as a second amber heat health alert in two weeks came into force on Friday.
The alert, which covers London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, will last until 6pm on Tuesday.
Here, The Independent looks at how you can keep yourself safe during a heatwave:
Prevent dehydration
The government advises staying hydrated during hot weather by drinking fluids regularly throughout the day, particularly if you are active.
Water, diluted squash and lower-fat milks are recommended. While fruit juice, smoothies and soft drinks can seem refreshing, they often contain high levels of sugar, which may contribute to dehydration.
It's best to limit how much of these you consume and opt for diet, sugar-free or no-added-sugar alternatives instead.
If you're heading out, take a refillable bottle of water with you, and carry extra if travelling by car or public transport.
Alcohol can dehydrate the body, so choosing alcohol-free drinks or alternating alcoholic drinks with water is advised.
Protect yourself from the sun
The sun in the UK is strong enough to cause sunburn, with children especially vulnerable to skin damage.
To reduce your risk, follow these sun safety measures:
Stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest
Wear loose, light-coloured clothing made from tightly woven fabric, such as long-sleeved shirts, trousers or long skirts
Protect your head, neck, face and ears with a wide-brimmed hat
Use sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun
Apply sunscreen generously and top it up regularly, especially after swimming or using a towel. The NHS recommends using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and a UVA rating of four or five stars.
How to keep your home cool
Homes can become uncomfortably warm during hot weather, especially at night when trying to sleep.
To keep indoor temperatures down, consider the following steps:
Keep blinds and curtains closed on windows that face direct sunlight during the day
If your home has external shutters or shades, keep them closed too
Try to sleep or rest in the coolest part of the house
When it's cooler outside than indoors, typically during the night, open windows if it is safe, and create a cross-breeze to help air circulate
Use electric fans if the indoor temperature is below 35C, but avoid directing airflow straight at your body, as this can contribute to dehydration
Make sure heating systems are switched off
Turn off any lights or electronic devices not being used, as they can generate extra heat
If the temperature outside is cooler, especially in shaded areas, consider spending time outdoors
Public spaces such as places of worship, libraries or supermarkets may be cooler than your home. If they are nearby, visiting one can offer a helpful break from the heat.
Heat exhaustion happens when the body gets too hot and struggles to cool down. It's not usually serious if you cool down within 30 minutes, but if untreated, it can develop into heatstroke, according to the NHS.
Signs of heat exhaustion include:
Tiredness or weakness
Dizziness or feeling faint
Headache
Muscle cramps
Nausea or vomiting
Heavy sweating
Strong thirst
Heatstroke is more serious and occurs when the body's temperature rises to dangerous levels and can no longer cool itself.
Symptoms include:
Confusion or disorientation
Loss of coordination
Rapid heartbeat
Fast breathing or shortness of breath
Hot, dry skin (not sweating)
Seizures
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 999 immediately and try to cool the person down while waiting for help.
Who is most at risk during hot weather?
While anyone can feel unwell in the heat, some people are more vulnerable. These include:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Map: Where second UK heatwave of 2025 will hit as temperatures set to soar to 32C
Britons are set to bask in another heatwave as temperatures rise to 30C this weekend and get even hotter into next week. Unsettled conditions on Thursday and Friday will still see temperatures steadily rise, with highs potentially reaching 28C in the south and east by Friday, the Met Office said. Thunderstorms are possible with warm, humid air set to linger in the south and east on Thursday, with maximum temperatures of 27C in eastern England, the forecaster added. But temperatures are unlikely to feel 'quite as muggy', meteorologist Honor Criswick said. 'For the first part of the day, it is set to be unsettled (with) outbreaks of quite heavy rain at times, particularly across Scotland,' he said. 'But it's fairly fast moving, so by the time we reach the afternoon, particularly from the west, we're going to see the return of those bright and sunny spells. 'And behind this area of rain, a much fresher feel to the air as well.' On Friday, forecasters said the unsettled conditions look set to continue. According to the Met Office, rain could be heavy in the west, while the east of England could remain dry, escaping with some sunny intervals. Parts of the south and east may also remain very warm, with highs potentially reaching 28C as the muggy air returns. Temperatures are expected to peak on Monday when much of the country will see temperatures in the early to mid-30s, the UK Health Security Agency said. It comes as the UKHSA issued an amber heat health alert, covering London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England. It is in place from midday on Friday and will last until 6pm on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, with the agency warning of significant impacts across health and social care services. Going into next week, a low pressure system passes to the north west of the UK on Monday bringing wetter windier conditions to the region. There will be dry and hot weather elsewhere across the country with temperatures reaching 32C in London and the south east, the Met Office forecast shows. Dr Akshay Deoras, a research scientist in the department of meteorology, University of Reading, urged people to 'treat extreme heat with the same respect you'd show a dangerous storm.' He advised against going outdoors during the hottest part of the day and stressed the importance of staying hydrated – drinking water regularly, even without feeling thirsty, and avoiding alcohol, which 'can accelerate dehydration.' To stay cool, he recommended wearing loose, light-coloured clothing and using a wide-brimmed hat when outside. People were also urged not to brush off symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat or headaches. 'These warning signs can rapidly escalate into life-threatening heatstroke if ignored,' he said. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should move to a cooler area, remove excess clothing and apply cold water to the skin, he added.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C
Authorities across Europe are on alert as the first heatwave of the summer pushes temperatures up to 42C (107.6F), as the fastest-warming continent continues to suffer the effects of the climate emergency. Spain's state meteorological office, Aemet, issued a special heat warning on Friday, saying temperatures could reach 42C in some southern areas of the country over the coming days. 'Very high and persistent temperatures are expected, both during the day and at night, which could pose a risk to exposed and/or vulnerable people,' Aemet said. Madrid's health ministry also warned people to take extra care in the heat, reminding them to stay out of the sun, keep hydrated and pay close attention to those who are older, pregnant or who have chronic health conditions. Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires as temperatures of up to 42C are expected in Lisbon. As temperatures in Marseille approach 40C, authorities in France's second-largest city have ordered public swimming pools to be made free of charge to help residents beat the Mediterranean heat. With peaks of 39C expected in Naples and Palermo, Sicily has ordered a ban on outdoor work in the hottest hours of the day, as has the Liguria region in northern Italy. The country's trade unions are campaigning to extend the measure to other regions. In Venice – which has played host to the lavish three-day wedding celebrations of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez, guests, visitors and protesters are feeling the heat. 'I try not to think about it, but I drink a lot of water and never stay still, because that's when you get sunstroke,' Sriane Mina, an Italian student, told Agence France-Presse in the city. As temperatures in Greece approached 40C, a large wildfire broke out south of Athens on Thursday, leading authorities to issue evacuation orders and shut down parts of the coastal road linking the Greek capital to Sounion, location of the ancient Temple of Poseidon, a major tourist attraction. The heatwave follows a series of broken extreme-heat records, including Europe's hottest March ever, according to the EU's Copernicus climate monitor. As a result of the planet's warming, extreme weather events, including hurricanes, droughts, floods and heatwaves, have become more frequent and intense, scientists warn. Last year was the hottest in recorded history so far and led to worldwide disasters, costing more than $300bn (£219bn). A Lancet Public Health study published last year found that heat deaths in Europe could triple by the end of the century, with the numbers rising disproportionately in southern countries such as Italy, Greece and Spain. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Deaths from warm weather could kill 129,000 people a year if temperatures rise to 3C above preindustrial levels. Today, heat-related deaths in Europe stand at 44,000. But the yearly death toll from cold and heat in Europe may rise from 407,000 people today to 450,000 in 2100, even if world leaders meet their global heating target of 1.5C, the study found. Agence France-Presse and Associated Press contributed to this report
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Carrie Johnson admitted to hospital over 'severe dehydration'
Carrie Johnson - the wife of former prime minister Boris Johnson - has revealed she was admitted to hospital with severe dehydration, as she offered advice to other breastfeeding mothers in the hot weather. Mrs Johnson, 37, posted a picture of herself and her newborn daughter Poppy Eliza Josephine on Friday in a hospital bed. "Being hospitalised for two nights for severe dehydration was not on my postpartum bingo card," she captioned the Instagram post. Mrs Johnson urged other "breastfeeding mums" to make sure they eat and drink enough "in this heat", especially those who are "clusterfeeding". Poppy was born on 21 May, becoming the couple's fourth child after their son Frank, born in July 2023, daughter Romy, born in December 2021, and son Wilfred, born in April 2020. In a separate Instagram story, Mrs Johnson described an "honestly brutal week". "Mastitis (me), reflux (her), dehydration (me). What a pair we are!," she said. "But thank you for all the kind messages, especially all the brilliant advice on reflux. Really appreciate it and made me feel way less alone going thru (sic) it all. And as ever, thanks to our amazing NHS." The NHS recommends drinking plenty of fluids while breastfeeding - and avoiding caffeine and alcohol to stop their effects being passed on to the baby. Having a drink nearby when mothers stop to feed is advised, as is water, lower-fat milk, and low-sugar drinks. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat health alert for the next four days. Although not a public weather warning, it advises health and social care organisations of possible dangers to their patients and facilities. Temperatures could reach 34C on Monday - with a 20% chance of beating the hottest June day on record of 35.6C from 1976. The likelihood of record-breaking temperatures could increase over the weekend as the day approaches.
