British Red Cross warns of hot weather health risks

The British Red Cross is offering tips to help people protect their health and recognise the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke as they enjoy the sunny weather in England this week.

The charity, which offers advice on handling heatwaves on its website, has issued the guidance after yellow weather warnings were put in place by the UK Health Security Agency, with temperatures expected to reach 30C in England this week.

Those more vulnerable to heat risks include older people, pregnant women, young children and people with chronic health conditions, the Red Cross said. People who work outdoors and live in top floor flats should also take extra care during hot weather.

William Spencer, climate and first aid product manager at the British Red Cross, said:

“Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and getting worse because of climate change, and that makes the need to recognise the risks all the more important as we are out enjoying the warmer weather this summer.

“High temperatures make it harder for the body to cool itself and we all need to take care to manage the health risks of heat. There are several steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe.

“We would advise people to make sure they know how to recognise the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and avoid activities in the middle of the day when temperatures are highest.

“Other safety tips include wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of water and drinking less alcohol. You can also help keep your home cool by keeping blinds and windows closed during the hottest parts of the day.”

The Red Cross offers advice on identifying the symptoms of heat-induced health risks:

• dehydration – you may be dizzy, confused, have darker urine and a headache. Drink plenty of water.
• heat exhaustion - similar symptoms to dehydration, plus nausea, cramps, fast breathing, and sweaty clammy skin. Get the person somewhere cool, give them a drink, sports/isotonic drinks can help. Even if they recover, seek medical advice. If they get worse call 999.
• heat stroke - similar symptoms to heat exhaustion but the skin is hot and dry. The person’s body temperature can reach over 40C, and they may become unresponsive. Call 999. Pour cold water over clothes or a sheet to help reduce their temperature.
• sunburn – get out of the sun, cool the area with cold water or cool bath for around 20 minutes. Sip cold water.

Previous research by the British Red Cross showed most people, including those most at risk such as older people, pregnant women and those with health conditions, didn’t see themselves as vulnerable to the impact of heatwaves.

However, the majority of the public have experienced adverse health effects from hot weather in the UK (60 per cent said they’d experienced at least one adverse effect).

The charity has a hot weather checklist available in eight languages on their website, as well as first aid advice for hot weather, and a free first aid app. The British Red Cross ‘Weather Together’ education pack also launched last year for schools.

Hot weather advice:

• drink plenty of fluids
• limit physical activity to cooler parts of the day, such as morning or evening
• wear sunscreen and take regular breaks indoors or in a shaded place to cool down
• keep homes and workplaces cool (open windows when the air outside is cooler than the air inside – so mornings and evenings)
• taking a cool bath or shower if you feel too hot
• wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes

ENDS

Notes to editors With millions of volunteers across 192 countries, the British Red Cross is part of a Movement that’s there for people as soon as crisis happens. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders. The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.