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Keep cool to limit heatwave health risks

3 July 2009

Taking care in the heat is essential for the elderly, young children and frail people.

Annabel Bentley, Assistant Medical Director, Bupa

Summer is here and temperatures are soaring. The Meteorological (Met) Office has issued a level three Heat-Health watch warning to take action to prevent the effects of a heatwave. Heatwaves may occur at any time over the summer months. High temperatures can seriously affect the health of certain groups of people.

According to the Met Office there is a 90 percent chance of a heatwave this week. The highest level is level four, which can be extremely hazardous.

In other parts of the world this temperature may not seem that high but it can be more hazardous if you are vulnerable to heat. In France a heatwave during the summer of 2003 killed 14,802 people in just 20 days.

"Taking care in the heat is essential for the elderly, young children and frail people". Annabel Bentley, Assistant Medical Director, Bupa.

Those most vulnerable to the heatwave include:

  • people over 75 living alone or in a care home
  • people who rely on others day to day, such as people with certain mental health problems such as dementia
  • people who are immobile or can't move around much
  • people taking certain medicines
  • people who have a high temperature because they have an infection
  • people drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs
  • young children, particularly those under four years old
  • manual workers
  • sportsmen and women
Tips for taking care in a heatwave include the following
  • Wear high factor sun creams containing UVA and UVB protection and sun block to protect your skin.
  • Keep hydrated by drinking enough water.
  • Limit the amount of time in the sun, particularly between 11 and 3.
  • Keep indoors as much as possible; lower floors away from the sun should be cooler.
  • Eat light and regular meals to keep your energy levels up.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing.
  • Protect your face and head using a hat.
  • Take regular breaks if you have to be out in the sun, particularly in the middle of the day.
  • Regularly check on older people, young children, especially those under four years old and the frail and sick.
  • Don't leave pets, children or anyone else in a closed vehicle.

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