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Looking after yourself and
others during hot weather
July 2005
a
Introduction
The Department of Health has issued
guidance about what to do in a heatwave.
Enfield Primary Care Trust along with Council
and Voluntary partners has a plan in place to
ensure the most vulnerable people are
helped.This leaflet gives you advice on looking
after yourself during hot weather.
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Most of us enjoy sunny weather, but extreme Heatstroke
heat can seriously damage your health. During Heatstroke can develop if heat exhaustion is left untreated, but
a heatwave, when temperatures stay really high it can also occur suddenly and without warning.
day after day, it can sometimes be fatal. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, an intense thirst,
sleepiness, hot, red and dry skin, a sudden rise in temperature,
What are the risks?
confusion, aggression, convulsions and loss of consciousness.
In a severe heatwave you may get dehydrated and your body
may overheat, leading to heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Both
Heatstroke can result in irreversible damage to your body,
need urgent treatment.
including the brain, or death.
Heat exhaustion
Who is at risk?
The symptoms of heat exhaustion include headaches, dizziness,
The heat can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk
nausea and vomiting, muscle, weakness or cramps, pale skin,
of serious harm.These include:
and a high temperature.
✹ Older people
You should move somewhere cool and drink plenty of water ✹ Babies and young children
or fruit juice. If you can, take a lukewarm shower, or sponge ✹ People with mental health problems
yourself down with cold water.
✹ People on certain medication
✹ People with a serious chronic condition, particularly
breathing or heart problems
✹ People who already have a high temperature from an
infection
✹ People who use alcohol or illicit drugs
✹ People with mobility problems
✹ People who are physically active, like manual workers,
and sportsmen and women.
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What should you do? Stay cool
Mostly it's a matter of common sense. Listen to your local ✹ Stay inside, in the coolest rooms in your home, as much
weather forecast so you know if a heatwave is on the way. as possible.
Plan ahead to reduce the risk of getting heat exhaustion or ✹ Close the curtains in rooms that get a lot of sun.
heatstroke.
✹ Keep windows closed while the room is cooler than it is
Keep out of the heat outside. Open them when the temperature inside rises, and
✹ If a heatwave is forecast, try and plan your day in a way that at night for ventilation. If you are worried about security, at
allows you to stay out of the heat. least open windows on the first floor and above.
✹ If you can, avoid going out in the hottest part of the day ✹ Take cool showers or baths, and splash yourself several
(11am-3pm). times a day with cold water, particularly your face and the
back of your neck.
✹ If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity, like sport, DIY,
or gardening, keep it for cooler parts of the day, like early ✹ Eat as you normally would.Try to eat more cold food,
morning. particularly salads and fruit, which contain water.
✹ If you must go out, stay in the shade.Wear a hat and light,
loose-fitting clothes, preferably cotton. If you will be outside
for some time, take plenty of water with you.
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Seek advice if you have any concerns Helping others
✹ Contact your doctor, a pharmacist or NHS Direct if you are If anyone you know is likely to be at risk during a heatwave,
worried about your health during a heatwave, especially if help them get the advice and support they need. Older people
you are taking medication, or have any unusual symptoms. living on their own should be visited daily to check they are
✹ Watch for cramp in your arms, legs or stomach, feelings of OK.
mild confusion, weakness or problems sleeping.
While waiting for the ambulance
✹ If you have these symptoms, rest for several hours, keep ✹ If possible, move the person somewhere cooler.
cool and drink water or fruit juice. Seek medical advice if
they get worse or don’t go away. ✹ Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan.
✹ Cool them down as quickly as possibly by loosening their
clothes, sprinkling them with cold water or wrapping them
in a damp sheet.
✹ If they are conscious, give them water or fruit juice to drink.
✹ Do not give them aspirin or paracetamol.
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Further information
✹ Check the weather forecast and any high temperature
health warnings at www.metoffice.gov.uk.
Get the
✹ Contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or NHS Direct
Online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for advice about heat right treatment
exhaustion and heatstroke.
✹ You can get advice on protecting your skin during hot By making the right choice at the right time, you can get the
weather from the Cancer Research UK SunSmart campaign best possible treatment through the NHS. Many everyday
website at www.cancerresearchuk.org/sunsmart. illnesses can be managed easily at home, while advice is freely
available from pharmacists or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
✹ If you remain concerned for yourself or another vulnerable
person contact your GP, District Nurse or Social Worker.
s Self Care - be prepared, maintain a well-stocked medicine
Useful contact details cabinet to treat yourself at home
s Pharmacists - free professional advice on many ailments
Adult Social Services and conditions
To contact Adult Social Services, please call the Customer s NHS Direct - 24-hour help, advice and information
Services Centre on: (call 0845 4647) or NHS Direct online-advice and
information on the Internet (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk)
020 8379 1000
s NHS walk-in Centre - advice,information and care from
Fax 020 8379 6458 nurses, with no appointment needed, at North Middlesex
Textphone 020 8379 6551 University Hospital, Edmonton
s GP surgery - general medical advice and treatments.
If you need to contact Adult Social Services in an emergency For Out of Hours service contact your GP and follow
outside office hours, please contact the Out-of-Hours Duty instructions
Social Worker on 020 8379 1000. s Accident and Emergency departments - for emergencies or
life-threatening conditions, at Barnet and Chase Farm
Hospitals, North Middlesex University Hospital
Home Support Network s 999 - to call an ambulance for emergencies or life-
020 8351 1322 threatening conditions.
Fax 020 8884 4167
Email info@ageconcernenfield.org.uk
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To get a copy of this in your language, please tick one box ,
write your name and address and send this to the address
shown.
Please return to: Communications Officer for Social Services,
Enfield Council, P.O. Box 59, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield EN1 3XL
Leaflet Ref. Heatwave July 2005
