Hot weather can make people unwell. It can also make an existing health problem worse.
It also causes:
- heat exhaustion
- heatstroke
Be prepared. Watch the news and weather forecasts for information.
Protect yourself from the sun
It is important to prevent yourself from getting too hot.
Here are some things you can do:
- stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm
- wear loose clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- drink lots of water, and don’t drink too much alcohol
- use lots of sunscreen. Check that the bottle says 30+ UPF. A number bigger than 30 is even better.
How to cool down
If you get too hot, there are things you can do to cool down:
- move to somewhere cooler
- take off extra clothes, like a jacket or socks
- drink cold drinks or eat ice lollies
- spray your skin with cold water
- put a cold pack under your arms or on the back of your neck
- close any windows or curtains that are facing the sun
People at risk
Some people are more likely to be ill because of hot weather.
People who:
- are over 65 years old
- are 5 years old or younger
- have long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live alone, are homeless, or need help to look after themselves
- have dementia, mental , drug or alcohol addiction
- are at home during the hottest part of the day
Find out more information in the Beat the Heat guide on the GOV.uk website