The North West Ambulance Service has issued a warning to Manchester residents about five common mistakes to avoid during the current heatwave, as temperatures are set to reach 28°C today.
Heat health alerts in place
According to the Met Office, Manchester will climb to 28°C on Tuesday, before soaring to the 30s by Thursday, with amber heat health alerts in place for most of England, including the North West, from 9am Tuesday until Friday evening.
The ambulance service is urging locals to 'make a few simple changes' that can 'help keep you, your family and others safe over the next few days'.
Five mistakes to avoid
The first mistake highlighted is waiting until you are thirsty to hydrate. By that point, you are already dehydrated and playing catch-up, so it is essential to keep drinking water continuously over the next few days.
The second mistake is jumping into water, such as ponds and lakes, to cool down. The recent hot weather has led to an increase in water deaths, with over 15 people drowning in the UK this summer. A spokesperson for the service warned of 'hidden obstacles and currents under the water'.
The third error is ignoring early signs of heat exhaustion, which can include vomiting, excessive sweating, and feeling weak. The service advises being especially aware of these signs 'if out exercising'.
The fourth oversight is 'leaving adults, children or pets in cars', as 'only a couple of minutes can cause harm'. This warning follows the tragic deaths of two children found in a car in France during an earlier heatwave this year.
Finally, residents are urged to look out for vulnerable people, including older adults, young children, and babies, who are more prone to heat exhaustion and could face major health impacts from the high temperatures.
The North West Ambulance Service added: 'If you do need us, we’re here. For life-threatening emergencies, call 999. For everything else, use NHS 111 online.'
