As the UK braces for temperatures soaring to 40°C in some areas, the Met Office has issued a rare red warning for hot weather covering parts of southern England and the South West. The warning indicates a two-to-three-day period where maximum temperatures in the shade could exceed 37°C, potentially reaching 38–40°C in some locations.
Why Removing Your Shirt Can Be Dangerous
Dr Ahmed, an A&E doctor with 588,000 followers on TikTok, known as the "healthcare Gordon Ramsay," has cautioned against common cooling methods that may actually increase the risk of heatstroke. One such method is taking off your shirt. "Doing that will expose you to direct sunlight, direct radiation, you will absorb more heat," he said. Instead, he recommends removing all layers except for a simple cotton layer to protect the skin from the sun.
Government advice supports this, suggesting lightweight, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, trousers, or long skirts to protect the skin. Wide-brimmed hats are also advised to shield the face, eyes, head, ears, and neck.
The Risks of Jumping into Cold Water
Another tempting but dangerous method is jumping into cold water. Dr Ahmed warned that a sudden temperature drop can cause muscles to seize up, leading to drowning. According to the RNLI, water colder than 15°C can trigger cold water shock. The sea around the UK and Ireland is typically around 12°C, and rivers are even colder, even in summer. Cold water shock can increase the risk of heart attack and cause gasping, which may result in inhaling water.
Dr Ahmed suggests safer alternatives: spray yourself with a cool mist, or apply ice packs or wet towels under your armpits, on your back, or thighs. However, he cautions against cooling too quickly, as this can lead to hypothermia or shivering, which can actually increase internal heat.
Importance of Seeking Help
Dr Ahmed's third tip is to ensure someone watches over you and contacts emergency services if needed. "Somebody to watch over you, somebody to contact emergency services while you cool down to make sure you are safe. Do that and don't become my problem in A&E," he said.
Areas Affected by the Heatwave
The Met Office red warning applies to numerous areas across southern England, the South West, and parts of Wales. These include regions in the East Midlands (Northamptonshire), East of England (Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Thurrock), London and South East England (Bracknell Forest, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Reading, Slough, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham), South West England (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire), Wales (Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan), and the West Midlands (Herefordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire).
