Level three heatwave warnings have been issued in many parts of the UK, as Britain continues to swelter in soaring temperatures.
The warning has today been raised to level three by the Met Office for north-west England – the second-highest warning level.
Also in place for the South West and the West Midlands, the warning has been issued because "there is a 90% probability of heatwave conditions between 0900 on Friday and 2100 on Saturday in parts of England".
The warning calls for "heatwave action", as the Met Office reminds Brits: "Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases."
Meanwhile warnings for south-east England and London have been reduced to level two.
But how can we stay safe in the heat, and how can we get some shuteye when the temperatures are so high? Tips for staying cool
The NHS advises:
- Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. If it's safe, open them for ventilation when it is cooler
- Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool
- Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn't possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter)
- Avoid unnecessary travel
- Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water
- Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol
- Stay out of the sun and don't go out between 11am and 3pm if you're vulnerable to the effects of heat
- Stay tuned to the weather forecast on the radio or TV, or at the Met Office website
- Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves
- Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat if you go outdoors Tips for sleeping in hot weather
Dr Malcolm von Schantz, a molecular neuroscientist at the University of Surrey's Sleep Centre, last year told BBC News Magazine: - Use an electric fan: it will decrease your time awake in bed by lowering the body temperature - Drink plenty before bed: dehydration will wake you up, so make sure you have plenty of water over the course of the evening - Avoid alcohol - Go for thin cotton sheets rather than nylon bedding Avoid, spot and treat: dehydration
Dehydration happens when your body loses more fluid than you take in. To avoid dehydration, drink regularly.
When it comes to spotting dehydration, look out for:
- dizziness or light-headedness
- a headache
- tiredness
- a dry mouth, lips and eyes
- concentrated urine (dark yellow) or passing only small amounts of urine infrequently (less than three or four times a day)
To treat dehydration, rehydrate the body by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, diluted squash, diluted fruit juice or semi-skimmed milk.
A sweet drink can help to replace lost sugar and a salty snack can help to replace lost salt. Drink a rehydration solution.
But if you suspect someone is severely dehydrated, you should seek medical attention immediately. They may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment. In particular, babies, infants and elderly people will need urgent treatment if they become dehydrated. Avoid, spot and treat: heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion can occur when the temperature inside the body rises to anything between the normal 37°C (98.6°F) up to 40°C (104°F).
If a person with heat exhaustion is taken quickly to a cool place, is given water to drink and has their excess clothing removed, they should begin to feel better within half an hour. But without treatment, they could develop heatstroke, which is much more serious (see below).
To prevent heat exhaustion:
- Stay out of the heat
- Cool yourself down (with cold showers, cold drinks)
- Keep your environment cool (see 'Tips for staying cool')
To spot heat exhaustion, look out for:
- very hot skin
- heavy sweating
- dizziness
- extreme tiredness
- feeling sick or vomiting
- urinating less often and much darker urine than usual
- a rapid heartbeat
- mental confusion
If you suspect someone has heat exhaustion:
- Get them to rest in a cool place, ideally a room with air conditioning or somewhere in the shade
- Get them to drink fluids – water or a rehydration drink, such as a sports drink. But they should stop taking fluid on board once their symptoms have greatly decreased (usually within two to three hours).
- Cool their skin with cold water
- Loosen clothing and ensure that the person gets plenty of ventilation
Dial 999 to request an ambulance if the person doesn't respond to the above treatment within 30 minutes.
If you suspect a child under two, an elderly person, someone with kidney, heart or circulation problems or a person with diabetes who use insulin, has heat exhaustion, they should be taken to hospital either way. Avoid, spot and treat: heatstroke
Heatstroke, which occurs when the body can no longer cool itself and starts to overheat, is far more serious than heat exhaustion.
Parts of the body stop working and if left untreated it can lead to complications such as organ failure and brain damage. Heatstroke can be fatal.
To prevent heatstroke, see 'Tips for staying cool'.
To spot heatstroke, be on guard against:
- high body temperature – a temperature of 40°C (104°F) or above is often a major sign of heatstroke, although it can be diagnosed at lower temperatures and some people can reach these temperatures during physical exercise without developing heat exhaustion or heatstroke
- heavy sweating that suddenly stops – a major warning sign the body has become over-heated and dehydrated and so is unable to produce any more sweat
a rapid heartbeat or rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
- muscle cramps
- fits (seizures)
- restlessness or anxiety
- mental confusion
- lack of co-ordination
- problems understanding or speaking to others
seeing or hearing things that aren't real (hallucinations)
- loss of consciousness
Heatstroke is a medical emergency - dial 999 immediately to request an ambulance.
While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, move the person somewhere cool and give them fluids to drink – ideally water.
Cool their skin with water by placing a damp flannel or sheet on them or spraying them gently. Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan.
Gently massage their skin to encourage circulation.
But wait for medical supervision before immersing someone fully in water - it could increase their blood pressure significantly which could be dangerous for those with cardiovascular disease or those at risk of stroke, such as the elderly.
And don't give them medication.
If the person is unconscious and vomiting, move them into the recovery position by turning them on their side and making sure that their airways are clear. To read more about the level three heatwave alert and how to stay safe, click here.
