Department of Health and Social Care
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Fair weather friends called for during heatwaves
Practical action to prepare for a potential heatwave is the central theme of the 2009 Heatwave Plan published by the Department of Health today. The plan urges everyone to be aware of the health risks faced by elderly friends and relatives during a heatwave.
For the very young and older people or those with serious illnesses, heat can be dangerous. In particular, it can make heart and respiratory problems worse. In extreme cases, excess heat can lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal.
People are advised to contact their local environmental health officer if they have concerns for themselves or a vulnerable friend, neighbour or relative. Environmental health workers at local authorities can visit to inspect the condition of a home for hazards to health, including excess heat.
The Heatwave Plan for 2009 has been updated with extra guidance that outlines the benefits of insulating houses to keep them cool during summer months and warm during the winter while also reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions. Grants are available to help homeowners who want to install cavity and roof insulation - the plan outlines how to access these.
Homeowners can take other practical steps to stay cool during the summer, including:
* shading south and west-facing windows;
* painting buildings and surrounding walls white to reflect heat;
* planting small trees and shrubs around buildings; and
* replacing metal blinds with curtains with white linings to reflect heat outwards where possible.
Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director of Public Health (South East Coast) said:
"This year's plan encourages everyone to take practical action before a heatwave strikes. Keeping the home as cool as possible during hot weather and remembering the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk is essential."
Wayne Elliott, Head of Health Forecasting at the Met Office said:
"Summer is nearly with us and it's a good time to
prepare for the high temperatures that we can experience in this
country. The elderly and those who are ill, are particularly
vulnerable during hot weather and the most oppressive conditions
occur in our towns and cities. There is
excellent information
available on how to look after yourself and your neighbours during heatwaves."
The Heatwave Plan has been updated to advise those suffering breathing problems that although ozone levels increase in hot weather, they drop in the evening. People with respiratory problems should stay inside during the hottest part of the day and windows should be kept shaded and closed when the temperature is hotter outside than inside.
More information is also given on the Health Housing and Safety Rating System. This encourages primary care trusts and local authorities to work more closely to target, assess and reduce the risk of vulnerable people living in the community who are living in homes that are too hot for their health.
The alert levels are now described from Level 1-4, but are also given colours that mirror the traffic light system.
Top tips for coping during a heatwave include:
* Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.
* Shut and shade windows when it is hotter outside and open them for ventilation when it is cooler outside.
* If you are vulnerable to the effects of heat, avoid going out between 11am-3pm.
* Drink cold drinks like water or fruit juice regularly and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
* Stay tuned to the weather forecast and plan ahead with supplies
* Keep plenty of water to hand and stay in the shade where possible
* Identify the coolest room in the house.
Notes to Editors
1. The Heatwave Plan can be downloaded at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_084670
2. The Heatwave Plan operates from 1 June to 15 September each year, and is based on information provided by the Met Office, which trigger alert levels according to 'threshold temperatures'.
The four levels are:
Level 1 - Summer Preparedness and
Long-term Planning: Green
Level 2 - Alert and Readiness:
Amber
Level 3 - Heatwave Action: Red
Level 4 - Emergency:
Red Emergency
Threshold temperatures Region Day Night -
(degrees Centigrade)
London 32 18
South East 31 16
South West 30 15
Eastern 30 15
West Mids 30 15
East Mids 30 15
North West 30 15
Yorks & Humber 29 15
North East 28 15
3. The Energy Saving Trust is able to provide practical advice and give information about grants that might be eligible. They can be contacted on 0800 512 012.
4. The Department first published its Heatwave Plan in 2004. In May 2008, the Plan was re-launched for summer 2008. The Plan provides advice and guidance and ensures those organisations involved in providing health and social care services know what actions to take in preparation for, and in the event of, a heatwave.
* The Heatwave Plan, and its advice and guidance, will help save lives. As the experience of 2003 demonstrated, particularly for those over 75, precautions need to be taken to avoid serious harm from the effects of heat on health. The heat creates strain on the heart, can make respiratory symptoms worse and cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
* Timely preventive measures can reduce excess deaths. Extreme heat kills more quickly than the cold, so it is essential to identify those at most at risk and to act quickly if a heatwave is predicted.
* The experience of 2003 is a reminder that heat can be fatal. Across Europe in 2003, the number of people who died because of the heat is estimated at 27,000. In England, there were approximately 2,000 excess deaths - 85% of which were people aged 75 and over. Those living in care homes experienced the greatest increased risk of death. The Heatwave Plan addresses this threat.
* Data on where (at home, in care, in hospital etc) the individuals who died in 2003 as a result of the heatwave actually suffered the effects of excess heat is not available. ONS advise that the vast majority of the 2,000 excess deaths related to the 2003 heatwave have "hospital" recorded as the place of death. A proportion of individuals would have been admitted to hospital, having suffered the effects of extreme heat elsewhere, and subsequently died. Additionally, a proportion would have already been in hospital and the heat would have made their symptoms worse.
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke both require urgent treatment.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms
* headaches
* dizziness
* nausea and vomiting
*
muscle weakness or cramps
* pale skin and
* high temperature
What to do
* Move somewhere cool
* Drink plenty of water or fruit
juice
* Take a lukewarm shower, or sponge yourself with cold water
If symptoms persist contact one of the sources below
Heatstroke
Symptoms
* headaches
* nausea
* intense thirst
*
sleepiness
* hot, red, and dry skin
* sudden rise in
temperature
* aggression, confusion, convulsions or loss of consciousness
What to do
* CALL 999
Whilst you wait for the ambulance:
* Move the
person to somewhere cooler
* Loosen clothes, sprinkle them
with cool water or use a damp sheet/cloth
* If conscious, give
them water
* Do not give them paracetamol or aspirin
Sources of help
* Check the weather forecast and any high temperature health warnings at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk
* Contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or NHS Direct Online at http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for advice about heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
* You can get advice on protecting your skin during hot weather
from the Cancer Research UK SunSmart campaign website
at
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/
Heatstroke
can develop without warning and can kill. If you suspect someone
has heatstroke, call 999 immediately
The four alert levels are:
1. This is the 'normal' state. No more than 50% risk of heatwave. Normal activity to remind people of the risks of extreme heat and the need to keep cool.
2. Alert and Readiness. 60% chance that 'threshold' temperatures will be reached for two or more days.
3. Heatwave action. Triggered when threshold temperatures have been reached in one or more regions.
4. Triggered when the heatwave is so severe or prolonged that its effects extend outside health and social care, such as power or water shortages.
