The Met Office has extended an Amber Extreme heat warning as temperatures look to build later this week and early next week for much of England and Wales.

Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot for too long, there are health risks. Here are some top tips to help you cope in the hot weather:

• Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated – older people, those with underlying health conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk
• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
• Stay out of the sun as much as possible from 11am-3pm
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle – especially infants
• Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen regularly, and wear a wide-brimmed hat
• Take water when out and about
• Use cool, shady spaces with consideration for others. Covid cases are increasing, so observe social distancing and wear a mask as needed
• Avoid exercising during the hottest part of the day
• Keep your home as cool as possible. Close curtains on rooms that face the sun and open windows on opposite sides of a room to create a cross-breeze.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency. Please seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice and only call 999 if you or someone else has any signs of heatstroke: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/

More tips and information from the NHS is available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/

You can also find out more about keeping cool in hot weather with WeatherReady from the Met Office.

https://www.eastridingofyorkshireccg.nhs.uk/data/uploads/heatwave/beat_the_heat_poster_2022.pdf