As temperatures across the UK are set to exceed 30 degrees this week, with the capital reaching up to 36°C, an amber extreme heat warning has been issued for much of southern England and southeastern Wales from 1am on Monday until 23.59pm on Wednesday. The Met Office has warned that the hot spell could lead to adverse health effects, travel delays, and possible power cuts.
Health Impacts of the Heatwave
The warning states: "Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including; a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups." The NHS has also issued a warning about the risk of dehydration during the heatwave, especially for those with underlying conditions such as diabetes or those on specific medications.
People are encouraged to drink between 6 to 8 cups or glasses of water each day. Symptoms of dehydration include feeling thirsty, headache, light-headedness, dark yellow urine, peeing less often, dizziness, tiredness, dry mouth, lips and tongue, and sunken eyes. Serious dehydration requires urgent treatment; call 111 or use 111 online.
How to Keep Drinks Cool
With warmer weather driving Brits outdoors for gardening, sunbathing, dining al fresco, beer gardens, and barbecues, staying hydrated with cool drinks is essential. Which?, the UK's consumer champion, has shared a simple tip for keeping drinks cooler for longer.
In a TikTok video, Which? tested eight methods to chill drinks quickly. They advised adding one ingredient to ice: salt. The video explains: "We tested eight ways to chill drinks fast, and the quickest was simple: ice, water and salt. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, creating an icy slush that can drop below 0°C and cool drinks faster. Gotta love a bit of science eh?!"
Simple Science for Summer
This hack works because salt lowers the freezing point of water, allowing the ice mixture to become colder than 0°C. The resulting slush surrounds the drink and cools it more rapidly than ice alone. It is an easy, cost-effective method that requires only common household ingredients.
