Brits have been urged to stay inside this week, and shut doors from 11am. The Met Office has warned that parts of the UK could reach heatwave thresholds as the country prepares to swelter this weekend.
The weather agency says that temperatures could exceed 30C this weekend, with many areas seeing heat in excess of 27C from Wednesday. And with this hot weather on the way, Brits are urged to follow guidance on how to stay cool previously issued by the UK Government, saying “anyone can become unwell if they get too hot”. The biggest piece of advice is to avoid the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm. For these four hours, try to keep out of the sun – stay indoors and avoid physical activity.
Close windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun to prevent your home from getting too hot. Opening them only allows warm air to circulate through your house, pushing out the cool air that has accumulated overnight.
If you have to go outside, be sure to wear suitable clothing, such as a hat and sunglasses, as well as applying sunscreen, drinking plenty of fluids, limiting alcohol intake and seeking shade.
The government also urged people to check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell. If you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you.
Heat exhaustion and the more severe heatstroke can develop quickly when the body overheats and cannot cool down. Heat exhaustion symptoms include tiredness, weakness, feeling faint, headaches, muscle cramps, and feeling sick.
Heatstroke is when the body is no longer able to cool down, and the body temperature becomes dangerously high.
Symptoms include confusion, lack of coordination, fast hearbeat, fast breath, and hot but not sweaty skin. If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and try to cool them down.