The NHS has shared a four-step guide to help people prevent heatstroke as the UK braces for temperatures that could reach 37C. According to the health body, following these measures should cool someone down in just 30 minutes.
NHS Advice on Social Media
In a post on social media platform X, the NHS stated: "There's a high risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke during hot weather. Follow these steps to help cool someone down. Learn more – including when to get help – on the NHS website." This comes as Britain has experienced scorching temperatures of up to 36C this week.
Met Office Red Warning
The heat is set to persist, with the Met Office issuing a red warning for extreme heat for Friday. The warning, which stretches from Kent to Oxford and Winchester to Brighton, will affect millions of people across London, the Home Counties and the South East.
Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: "This exceptional spell of hot and humid weather will maintain its grip on the UK for a little longer. Although the current red warning for areas in more central and western parts of England and Wales will expire later today, the heatwave will still be bringing high temperatures to these areas, albeit moving away from the peak heat of Wednesday and Thursday."
He added: "We are expecting that some daytime maximum temperatures could exceed 36C, perhaps rising to 37C in some locations."
Humidity and Nighttime Discomfort
It is anticipated the daytime heat will be accompanied by high humidity, leading to uncomfortably warm, humid nights, worsening the potential for discomfort and health impacts. Andy noted: "Significant disruption to daily life is likely and the public should take every effort to adapt their daily routines to cope with these levels of heat, which up to now have been extremely rare for the UK."
Signs of Heat Exhaustion
With this in mind, the NHS outlined what to do if someone is suffering from heat exhaustion, to stop it from developing into potentially fatal heatstroke. Key signs of heat exhaustion include:
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Feeling sick or being sick
- Excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash (skin colour change can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
- Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
- Fast breathing or heartbeat
- A high temperature
- Being very thirsty
- Weakness
Four Steps to Cool Down
On its website, the NHS said you should follow these four steps:
- Move them to a cool place
- Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks
- Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water
- Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too
You should also remain with them until they've recovered. "These steps should help the person to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes," the NHS says.
When to Seek Medical Help
"Call 111 if you or someone else have symptoms of heat exhaustion that you're struggling to treat or you need advice about." If they fail to start recovering within 30 minutes, the NHS advises dialling 999. According to the health body, you also should call 999 "now" if you or someone else displays signs of heatstroke, including:
- Still being unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and drinking fluids
- A very high temperature
- Hot skin that's not sweating and might look red (this can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
- A fast heartbeat
- Fast breathing or shortness of breath
- Confusion and lack of coordination
- A seizure or fit
- Loss of consciousness
For more information, visit the NHS website.
