Hot weather risks

While most enjoy the summer sun, high temperatures can pose a significant risk to health.

What are the risks?

Dehydration:

One of the biggest dangers of a heat wave is the increased risk of dehydration.
It can lead to confusion, lethargy and problems with breathing and heart rate.

Heat stroke or exhaustion:

This can cause headaches, dizziness and muscle cramps, but it can also be life-threatening.

Sunburn:

A sun tan may look nice, but it is actually a sign of damage to the skin.

Not only is sunburn painful, it can accelerate the ageing process, and increase the risk of skin cancer, including the potentially fatal form, melanoma.

What is the best way to avoid problems?

Drink lots of liquids:

As you will be losing more fluid than normal, it is important to top up your supplies.

The best way to keep yourself hydrated is to drink water, and to sip it, rather than gulp it down.

On an average day, a person weighing 58kg (128lb) should drink eight average-sized glasses of water.

Modify your diet:

Avoid hot, heavy food. Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content.

Salt pills are available to replace minerals lost in the sweat. However, most diets contain more than enough salt, and so this is unlikely to be necessary.

Stay out of the sun:

The best place to be on a blistering day is in the shade.

If you must sunbathe, then ensure that it is for short periods, and that you use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.

If you start to feel queasy or ill then get out of direct sunlight as quickly as possible

• Be sensible about exercise
• Keep cool
• Ventilate your home
• Take special care of the vulnerable:
  
  
  
  Those most at risk from the sun include children under four, people over 65 whose bodies adapt more slowly to the change in temperature, overweight people whose bodies tend to retain heat more and people who are ill.
  
  
  Babies are particularly vulnerable to heat as their sweat glands are not well-developed.
  It is important not to wrap them up in blankets or heavy clothing when it is hot - but it is equally important to ensure that they are not exposed to direct sunlight.