Summer has arrived and it’s Hot Hot Hot! Most of us spend all year wishing for better weather, but it’s very important to know how to enjoy the sun in a safe way and be prepared for a heatwave. High temperatures can be dangerous to our health, especially for those more vulnerable like older people and people with disabilities. This weekend is set to be another scorcher, so we’ve put together some tips for everyone to help stay safe. Keep up to date on weather and weather warnings on the metoffice website.

General advice

Here are some general tips on how to stay safe in the sun:

• Try to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm as this is when the sun is at its strongest.

• When you do go outside, ensure you apply sun cream at least once every 2 hours.

• Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine as these can cause dehydration, instead try water or fruit and vegetable juices. For some ideas click here and view some healthy juice and smoothie recipes.

• Try wearing a hat to provide some shade and cover up your head.

• Put a cool damp cloth behind your neck to lower your body temperature.

• Eat cold foods with high water content such as salads and fruit.
  

For more tips click here and view our easy read booklet on how to stay safe in a heatwave.

Advice for staff

Here are some tips on how to stay safe when working in the sun:

• Try to wear clothing that’s loose, long sleeved and thin to work to stay cool and reduce your skins exposure to the sun.

• When you’re outside, ensure you wear sunglasses to protect your eyes form strong rays, this is extremely important for people with light coloured eyes.

• Ensure that adequate arrangements are made for clients’ food shopping that decrease the need to walk around in the heat, e.g. getting shopping delivered to the clients’ home.

• Stay hydrated and ensure you drink at least 6-8 classes of water a day, even if you are very busy.

For more advice click here to view the department of health and social care’s heatwave guide.

Advice for managers

Here are some tips to ensure your business is prepared for a heatwave:

• Create specific heat related risk assessments for clients who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat such as those who are bed-bound.

  Click here to view our Hot Weather Risk Assessment blog and form.

• Have person-centered care plans that outline clients who are at higher risk.

• Provide extra care and support during times of high temperature by giving regular advice and arranging for someone to visit a client at least once a day.

• Consider using reflective paint, window shutters and planting trees around homes to help provide extra shade and to keep buildings cool.

• Ensure staff know which rooms are the easiest to keep cool coolest in order to organise the distribution of clients according to the most at risk.

• Assess a client’s environment to ensure it is safe and responsive to a heatwave and can provide things such as safe and secure ventilation.
  

For more advice click here to view the Care Quality Commissions page on being #TempAware or click here to view the Public Health England’ s heatwave plan.

Follow this advice and stay safe this summer!