Met Office issues heatwave health warning for Shropshire
The Met Office has issued a Level 3 Heatwave Action alert for the West Midlands including Shropshire.
The Met Office say there is a 90 % probability of heatwave conditions between 9am today and 9pm on Friday for Shropshire.
The level 3 – Amber Alert is triggered when the Met Office confirms threshold temperatures for one of more regions have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day has a greater than 90% confidence level that the day threshold temperature will be met.
The current level requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups.
Public Health England advised people to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, store medicines in the fridge and keep an eye on elderly neighbours.
The aged, the very young, and those with respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, are among those most at risk.
WMAS Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer Daren Fradgley said: “A prolonged heat wave poses a real danger to those patients with emphysema, asthma and long term breathing problems.
“The hot weather makes breathing difficult even for healthy individuals. That’s why we suggest people with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors as much as possible.
“It is vital that we get to these patients as quickly as possible and would therefore ask the public to assist us by only calling 999 in life threatening situations.”
Highest 2013 Temperature
The UK saw its highest 2013 temperature yesterday, with 32.2C recorded at Hampton Water Works in southwest London. This beats the previous highest temperature seen this year which was 31.5 C at Seavington, Hurcott Farm in Somerset on Saturday 13 July.
Forecasters have said Britain is in the midst of its first prolonged heatwave since 2006, with six consecutive days of temperatures above 30C.
It is set to continue into next week with temperatures in the high 20s Celsius at the weekend before rising to 30C and above next week - bringing with it an increased risk of thunderstorms.
Helpful Hints
· If you’re out in the sun make sure you apply plenty of sun cream, wear a hat and light, loose fitting cotton clothes. Avoid being out between 11am and 3pm, which is the hottest part of the day.
· Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, to keep yourself hydrated. Remember, caffeine and alcohol can have the opposite effect and can actually dehydrate you.
· Fancy a swim? Then please do so in a supervised swimming pool. No matter how tempting it is to cool off in rivers and lakes. The Trust has sadly dealt with a number of incidents in open water.
· If a barbecue is on the cards, please ensure that it is lit safely and in the correct manner. Avoid burn injuries by using the correct utensils and don’t let children play too closely to the hot barbecue. Lastly, please make sure that all food is cooked through properly to avoid any food poisoning incidents.
· If you’re taking advantage of the sunshine and are going out for a walk or hike in the countryside, please make sure you wear the appropriate footwear to avoid any slips or trips.
· If you’re planning on hitting the road for a trip away, make sure you’re prepared for your journey, take food and drinks and remember to break the journey up. If driving in residential areas, please watch out for ice cream vans and any children that may be distracted around them.
· We would also ask bikers to be careful and wear appropriate safety clothing. Equally we ask car drivers to look out for bikers, as the number of these on the road will be significantly higher when the weather is good.
