The Met Office has issued an Amber Heat-Health alert from 12pm on Thursday 19 June until 9am on Monday 23 June.
GPs and Public Health in Solihull are strongly urging people to take care of themselves and others in the current extreme heat conditions
An amber alert indicates that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, with potential for the entire population to be at risk. Non-health sectors may also start to observe impacts and a more significant coordinated response may be required.
The vulnerable and those who are at-risk are more likely to suffer in the heat and could become seriously ill with health complications. However, in these conditions anyone could be at risk. Take care of yourself:
- The recent hot weather is forecast to continue for the foreseeable future leading to calls for people to look out for the vulnerable.
- Although welcomed by most, hot weather can cause a real danger to health particularly to the very elderly and the seriously ill.
- People with existing medical conditions and the very young are also potentially at risk during the warm spell.
- This week the Met Office raised the heatwave warning to Amber, triggering healthcare services to help those in high-risk groups.
Whilst we want everyone to enjoy this warm weather it is important that we all take simple steps to help us stay healthy at this time. It is easy to become dehydrated in hot weather as we can soon lose more fluid than we take in, and even people at the peak of physical fitness can become ill if they are not careful. Drink cold non-alcoholic drinks regularly, keep out of the sun during the hottest times of the day between 11am – 3pm, and avoid physical exertion in the heat where possible. People who are elderly, the very young and those with chronic conditions are more at risk, so we urge you to check on vulnerable friends and neighbours every day during the heatwave.
For help and advice please call the Solihull Helpline on 0121 704 8080.
Please read the following tips to keep yourself and others cool and what to do if someone feels unwell.