Somerset Forecast

CLIMATE change is causing warmer temperatures in the UK.

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. Hot weather can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung problems.

Older people, babies and young children are more likely to be unwell from hot weather because their bodies are less able to regulate temperature. People with underlying medical conditions can also be vulnerable.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down.

Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• tiredness
• weakness
• feeling faint
• headache
• muscle cramps
• feeling or being sick
• heavy sweating
• intense thirst

Heat exhaustion does not usually require emergency medical attention if you are able to cool down within 30 minutes.

How to cool down:

• Move to a cooler place such as a room with air conditioning or somewhere in the shade
• Remove all unnecessary clothing like jackets or socks
• Drink cool water, a sports or rehydration drink, or eat cold and water-rich food like ice lollies
• Apply cool water by spray or sponge to exposed skin, and using cold packs wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck.

If you do not take action to cool down, this can lead to heatstroke.

Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high.

Common symptoms of heatstroke include:

• confusion
• lack of co-ordination
• fast heartbeat
• fast breathing or shortness of breath
• hot skin that is not sweating
• seizures

Heatstroke is a medical emergency

If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and then try to cool them down.

You can find out more about symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke on NHS.UK.

UKHSA ‘beat the heat’ and resources available here