Derby Public Health Director urging people to spot signs of heat exhaustion
It's as temperatures reached 28 degrees Celsius in some parts of the East Midlands yesterday
Last updated 7th Sep 2023
The heatwave continues across Derbyshire, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius yesterday.
Most of England, including the East Midlands, remains under an amber heat health alert, which is in place until 9pm Sunday.
Derby's Public Health Director, Dr Robyn Dewis, said: "We all love the hot weather don't we, but we do need to remember there are risks for people with health conditions.
"If we do too much, if we do get heat exhaustion we can feel very tired, weak, feel a bit sick - that's really a sign to us we need to do something to cool down.
"We particularly need to think about people with particular health conditions. If they've got heart or kidney disease or lung disease and especially babies and young children who can be very vulnerable.
"Seven of the ten hottest days since 1900 have happened in the last ten years... This is something that's becoming much more frequent, so this is something we need to think about much more often over the coming years as well."
NHS heatwave advice:
- Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
- Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
- Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.