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The Independent
12-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
The deadly hidden dangers of heatwaves – and how to keep yourself safe
Heatwaves have been made 100 times more likely and 2-4C hotter due to climate change, scientists have warned. A rapid study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research group found the heatwave last week in the south-east of England was around 10 times more likely than without human activity warming the planet. Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London also estimated there were around 570 excess deaths between 19 June and 22 June due to the last heatwave, based on historic mortality data. Temperatures could reach 34C on Saturday after the mercury hit a high of 34.7C in the West Midlands on Friday. Wales, meanwhile, recorded its hottest day of the year as Usk hit 32.7C. Amber heat health alerts are in place for large parts of England, with authorities warning soaring temperatures over the weekend are likely to cause a rise in deaths. The alert, which covers the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England and London, will last until 9am on Monday. 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:
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
How do heat and cold health alerts work?
The first yellow heat health alerts of 2025 have been alerts mean the weather poses a greater risk to vulnerable people, which may place additional pressure on health services. How does the weather health alert system work? The weather alert service warns the public in England when high or low temperatures could damage their system is run by the UK Health Security Agency and the Met includes both heat health and cold health alertsHeat health alerts are issued between 1 June and 30 September, and cold health alerts are published between 1 November and 30 March. As well as warning the public, the system sends guidance directly to NHS England, the government and healthcare professionals during periods of adverse are categorised according to severity and include:headline weather conditions expected in the coming daysdetails of how weather conditions will affect each regionlinks to additional information, advice and guidanceThe system was designed to help reduce illness and deaths during periods of extreme current weather-health alertsCheck the UK weather warnings in placeWhen is a heatwave 'really' a heatwave? What do the alert levels mean? The level of alert is based on Met Office forecasts and are four levels ranging from green (least severe) to red (most severe):GreenGreen is the normal level, when advice is given on how people should prepare to respond if temperatures rise or alerts are issued during periods of hot or cold weather that are only likely to affect those who are particularly vulnerable, for example the elderly, or those with existing health alerts are issued in situations that could potentially put the whole population at risk. The NHS may see increased demand on GPs and ambulances, for disruption is also red alert is the most is issued in situations when hot or cold weather would be a significant risk to life, even for the healthy population, and could lead to failures of critical national infrastructure, such as power outages or roads and rail lines being closed. What does hot weather do to the body? As the body gets hotter, blood vessels open up. This leads to lower blood pressure, and makes the heart work harder to push the blood around the can cause mild symptoms such as an itchy heat rash or swollen feet, as blood vessels become leaky. At the same time, sweating leads to the loss of fluids and salt and, crucially, the balance between them in the body combined with the lowered blood pressure, can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Symptoms include:dizzinessnauseafaintingconfusionmuscle crampsheadachesheavy sweatingtirednessIf blood pressure drops too far, the risk of heart attacks does hot weather do to the body?What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?How to sleep in hot weather
