Many of us love the summer sun, but warmer weather also brings potential risks to health, particularly for our more vulnerable residents such as the elderly, sick and very young.
So when temperatures climb:
- keep a close eye on older people, young children, and individuals with long term conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, who may not be aware they are overheating – make sure they drink lots of water and aren't left to sit in strong sun
- keep cool at home – by closing curtains on windows that face the sun and opening windows at night when it's cooler outside than in
- be sun-savvy when out and about – travel with bottled water and use SPF30 or above sunscreen
Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke - and what to do if you or someone else has them.
Other top tips for staying safe and well in hot weather include:
- staying hydrated by avoiding excess alcohol
- doing intense exercise in the cooler parts of the day
- carrying your asthma inhaler, if you use one, with you because hot weather and thunderstorms can make lung conditions worse. If you notice you need to use your inhaler more frequently because of the weather, please talk to your pharmacist, contact your GP or NHS 111.
For more information and advice, visit kent.gov/keepingcoolinhotweather