Brits urged to take 5 crucial health steps on Friday

With warm weather on the way, Brits have been urged to take care of their health – and there’s certain steps you need to take. The latest UK weather maps from the Met Office show temperatures could hit 26C on Fridaay afternoon. while the latest maps from Netweather show the mercury could soar to as high as 27C in some prts of the country. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has provided advice on how to ensure you won’t be taken ill in the heat.

Anyone can become ill if they get too hot but some people are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell. It is important to follow guidance so that you are prepared for hot weather and can take action to cool yourself and your home. The UKHSA has shared some tips to ensure you don’t fall ill – and there’s some you might not have thought of.

From 9pm on Thursday June 12 to 8am on Friday June 15, a health warning is in place which covers the East of England, East Midlands, London and South East regions of the country.

Older people, babies and young children are more likely to be unwell from hot weather because their bodies are less able to regulate temperature.

The NHS says: “Climate change is already causing warmer temperatures in the UK. All of the warmest years on record in the UK have occurred since 2002, and in July 2022 temperatures exceeded 40°C for the first time on record.

“It is estimated that 2,803 people aged 65 years and over died due to the heat in England in 2022, and it is predicted that the number of heat-related deaths per year may triple by 2050.”

The UKHSA says the top five tips for staying safe in warm weather are:

• Knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them

• Keeping 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, and seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly

• Keeping 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, exercising or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening.