A health warning has been issued as a heatwave is forecast to sizzle London.
The yellow weather warning will be in effect from 9am on Monday, July 29 through to Wednesday, July 31 at 11pm.
This warning, issued by the UKHSA, will impact the south west of the UK.
According to the Met Office, the weather from Monday, July 29 through to Wednesday, July 31 is set to be hot and dry.
On Monday, it will be sunny almost all day with only a few clouds between 10am and 4pm.
The temperature is forecasted to reach a high of 28 degrees and a low of 18 degrees.
Tuesday is set to be similar, with a few clouds between 1pm and 7pm.
On this day, temperatures are set to reach highs of 29 degrees and only go as low as 19 degrees.
The Met Office predicts that weather on Wednesday will be extremely similar, with highs of 27 degrees in the afternoon and lows of only 19 degrees.
There is currently some cloud predicted for most of the day on Wednesday.
As a result of temperatures being so high, the UKHSA has warned that there will likely be minor impacts across the health care and social sector.
These include more of the vulnerable population using healthcare services, an increase in the risk of death amongst the vulnerable population and an increased potential for places indoors to get very warm.
According to the UKHSA, hot weather can cause some people to become unwell through overheating (becoming uncomfortably hot), dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
The UKHSA has issued advice to stay safe in the heat next week:
- Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm.
- If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening.
- Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun.
- If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen.
- Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake.
- Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you.
- Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do if you or someone else has them.
Who is at risk of becoming unwell in hot weather?
Anyone can become unwell when the weather is hot.
The UKHSA has said that people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell include:
- Older people aged 65 years and over (note change from previous guidance of 75 years of age and above).
- Babies and young children aged 5 years and under.
- People with underlying health conditions particularly heart problems, breathing problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, or mobility problems.
- People on certain medications.
- People with serious mental health problems.
- People who are already ill and dehydrated (for example from diarrhoea and vomiting).
- People who experience alcohol or drug dependence.
- People who are physically active and spend a lot of time outside such as runners, cyclists and walkers.
- People who work in jobs that require manual labour or extensive time outside.
- People experiencing homelessness, including rough sleepers and those who are unable to make adaptations to their living accommodation such as sofa surfers or living in hostels.
- People who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves.
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