Health bosses warn about staying safe in heatwave

Jun 30 2009 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Post

Soaring temperatures have sparked warnings by health bosses for Midlanders to stay safe in this week’s heatwave.

The West Midlands is expected to be one of the country’s hotspots affected, with daytime temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius and 18 at night. West Midlands Ambulance Service revealed that it expects to see a rise in 999 calls related to injuries from the heat, such as sunstroke, heat exhaustion, sunburn, dehydration and alcohol problems in coming days. The Met Office has triggered the Heatwave Plan Alert Level 2 on behalf of the Department of Health.

People are being urged to take extra care of babies, small children and elderly people as the heat can prove fatal for them in extreme cases.

Rob Ashford, chief operating officer for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “Any measures the public can take to avoid becoming a victim in the heat wave will ultimately help us during this period so that we are able to continue to provide patient care to those with life-threatening and serious conditions.

“High temperatures historically increase demand and pressures on the ambulance service and on the NHS as a whole. We’ve already seen a rise in calls during the weekend, particularly to alcohol-related incidents, and conditions sensitive to heat changes such as respiratory and cardiac complaints.”

Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 3pm; wear a hat, sunscreen and light, loose-fitting cotton clothes; consume cool drinks but avoid caffeine and alcohol as they can cause dehydration, and eat more fruit, vegetables and salad. Do not open windows in the hottest part of the day but wait until temperatures have dropped, sleep in a cool and well-ventilated room, ensure you have water on long journeys, and avoid leaving babies, children and older people in stationary cars.

Doctor Adrian Noon, medical adviser for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “Most of this information is common sense. During prolonged high temperatures it’s important to look after those who are vulnerable, similar to when we experienced the prolonged winter weather period. Consider checking on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.”

For advice and help with heat-related condition which are not serious or life-threatening, please call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.