Stay safe in hot weather

Hot weather can disrupt daily life, affect transport and utility supplies, damage property, and pose a serious risk to health and life.

Where to get information and warnings

The Met Office provides information on severe weather, including seasonal advice to help you prepare and stay safe. You can also sign up for Met Office severe weather warnings.

Who is most at risk?

Hot weather is becoming more common, more intense and lasting longer.

Heat can affect anyone, but some people are at greater risk of harm. This includes:

  • older people, especially those aged 65 and over
  • babies and young children aged 5 and under
  • people with long-term health conditions, such as heart, breathing, kidney or mental health conditions, dementia, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease or mobility problems
  • people who live alone or may be unable to care for themselves
  • people taking multiple medicines, or medicines that can affect how the body responds to heat
  • people who are already unwell or dehydrated
  • people who are homeless
  • people who work or spend a lot of time outdoors
  • people whose jobs involve manual labour

Some people are at risk because of their health, age or circumstances. Others may be at risk because they have fewer resources or opportunities to prepare for, cope with or respond to hot weather.

Health impacts of hot weather

Even temperatures around 25°C can begin to affect health for some people. The main risks posed by a heatwave are:

  • not drinking enough water (dehydration)
  • overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing
  • heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Symptoms of heat exhaustion

Symptoms can include:

  • tiredness
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • feeling sick
  • excessive sweating
  • high temperature
  • cramps in the arms, legs or stomach

Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if the person cools down within 30 minutes.

How to cool someone down

If someone has heat exhaustion:

  1. Move them to a cool place.
  2. Remove unnecessary clothing, such as a jacket or socks.
  3. Give them plenty of water to drink. You can also use an isotonic sports drink or oral rehydration solution.
  4. Cool their skin using cool water, a fan, or cold packs wrapped in a cloth and placed under the armpits or on the neck.

Stay with them until they feel better. They should start to cool down within 30 minutes.

Symptoms of heatstroke

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms can include:

  • very high temperature
  • hot skin that is not sweating
  • fast breathing or a fast heartbeat
  • confusion or restlessness
  • seizure or fit
  • loss of consciousness

Call 999 if someone has signs of heatstroke.

How to protect yourself and others

Stay out of the heat

  • Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
  • If you need to go outside, walk in the shade, wear a hat and apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 with 4 or 5 star UVA protection.
  • Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day. Where possible, do this in the early morning or evening.
  • Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Use cool spaces across the borough.

Keep yourself cool

  • Move to a cooler place, such as a shaded area or air-conditioned space.
  • Drink plenty of cold drinks and avoid excess alcohol.
  • Eat cold foods with a high water content, such as salads and fruit.
  • Take a cool shower, bath or body wash.
  • Sprinkle water over your skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.

Keep your home cool

Keeping your living space cool is especially important for babies, older people, people with long-term health conditions and people who may not be able to look after themselves.

  • Keep windows exposed to the sun closed during the day.
  • Open windows at night when the temperature outside has dropped.
  • Close curtains or blinds that receive direct sun.
  • Be careful with metal blinds and dark curtains, as they can absorb heat.
  • Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment, as they generate heat.
  • Place a thermometer in your main living room and bedroom to monitor the temperature.
  • If possible, move to a cooler room, especially for sleeping.
  • Electric fans may provide some relief when temperatures are below 35°C.

Look out for others

  • Check on older, ill or vulnerable neighbours, friends and family during hot weather.
  • Make sure people who live alone are able to keep cool.
  • Never leave babies, children, older people or pets alone in parked cars.
  • Keep babies and children in prams or pushchairs in the shade.
  • Supervise infants and children near open windows.
  • Remove excess clothing and make sure there is enough airflow.
  • Be alert and seek help if someone becomes unwell.

If you have a health condition

  • Keep medicines below 25°C or in the fridge, following the storage instructions on the packaging.
  • Seek medical advice if you have a long-term condition or take multiple medicines and are concerned about hot weather.

If you feel unwell

  • Move to a cool place as soon as possible.
  • Drink water or fruit juice to rehydrate.
  • Rest immediately if you have painful muscle cramps.
  • Seek medical help if heat cramps last more than one hour.
  • Contact your GP or NHS 111 if symptoms persist or feel unusual.
  • Call 999 if you think someone has heatstroke.

Cool spaces in Hackney

Cool spaces are indoor or outdoor places where people can take a break from the heat. They can provide somewhere to get out of the sun and cool down for a few hours.

There are a number of cool spaces across Hackney. You can view locations, opening days and times using the interactive cool spaces map on the Mayor of London website.