With temperatures soaring we need to keep cool and stay safe

The Met Office has issued an Amber Extreme heat warning from Sunday until Tuesday and everyone across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is urged to not take risks in unusually high temperatures.

The elderly and young children are most at risk, but everyone’s health could be at risk as temperatures are expected to exceed 35C.

Dehydration and sunburn lead to people being hospitalised whenever temperatures soar.

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Chief Medical Officer for  Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “Children and elderly people are especially vulnerable to sunburn and dehydration, but absolutely no-one is invulnerable to temperatures this high, regardless of how fit they are or their skin type.

“The basic rules are you need to keep hydrated, protect your skin from burning and if you are normally fit and healthy, keep an eye out for those most at risk.

“Lots of changes happen to your body that make you more vulnerable to getting dehydrated when you get older and this can cause serious health problems.

“Children’s young skin is also particularly vulnerable to being burned. Not only can this be exceptionally painful, but it can store up skin problems in later life. Children can also become quickly dehydrated and need to have easy access to water.

“I’d also urge people not to try a keep cool by swimming in open water. Every year this leads to tragic accidents.”

You can stock up on basics like high factor sun screen now.

Anyone who needs urgent medical advice can go online at 111.nhs.uk or they can call 111.

Dr Edmondson-Jones said: “I’d urge everyone to keep cool and stay safe and remember that strong sun can be very punishing.”

Find out more about keeping safe in hot weather:

• Met Office:
  • Vehicle checks to make before long journeys
  • Tips for planning your summer holiday driving
  • WeatherReady – helpful articles on keeping cool, impacts of hot weather, etc.
• National Rail – Travelling in extreme heat
• National Highways – Travelling in summer.