Officials issue heatwave warning

[DGP1]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8121410.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Officials issue heatwave warning
sunshine
The government's heatwave plan has been triggered

A heatwave alert has been issued by the Met Office amid warnings of extreme temperatures over the next few days.

There is a 60% risk of a heatwave for Monday and Tuesday with daytime highs in London reaching 32C and remaining warm at night.

NHS staff have been warned to prepare for a surge of elderly and ill patients suffering from the heat.

The Department of Health has also asked people to check up on vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours.

The Met Office has predicted that around the country daytime temperatures could reach 29-30C, with minimum night-time temperatures of 15-18C.

London, the East of England, South West, South East and the Midlands are the most likely to be affected.

Officials had already said this summer may be warmer than the past couple of years.

With climate change, heatwaves are likely to become more common over the next few decades and the Chief Medical Officer has warned of an increase in deaths in times of hot weather.

In northern France in 2003, a three-week heatwave with extremely high day and night-time temperatures caused 15,000 excess deaths.

Heatwave guidance

A Department of Health spokesman said consecutive hot days could be dangerous for people with heart and respiratory problems and in extreme cases, excess heat can lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal.

Ozone can be a big problem for those with breathing problems but although levels can be high during the day in a heatwave, they drop at night so staying indoors in the middle of the day can help.

"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.

"The elderly and those who are ill, are particularly vulnerable during hot weather and the most oppressive conditions occur in our towns and cities."

"Windows should be kept shaded and closed when the temperature is hotter outside than inside.

"People with respiratory problems should stay inside during the hottest part of the day."

If anyone is worried that their home or that of a relative or neighbour is too hot they should contact their local environmental health officer, he added.

Other advice in the government's heatwave plan includes to drink cold drinks like water or fruit juice regularly and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.

My advice is to have plenty of water out with you.

[Broxi51]

Royal Mail's plan for the forthcoming heatwave will be to issue everyone with a hi-vis vest and helmets for all cyclists both of which must be worn at all times or you may be sacked. Any office with mail backlogs must be cleared during those days to meet a clear office policy. No postpersons will be allowed to leave their DO before 11am during the heatwave days.

[pinstripe]

Royal Mail's plan for the forthcoming heatwave will be to issue everyone with a hi-vis vest and helmets for all cyclists both of which must be worn at all times or you may be sacked. Any office with mail backlogs must be cleared during those days to meet a clear office policy. No postpersons will be allowed to leave their DO before 11am during the heatwave days.

And I thought RM didn't care about us. At least we will be out during the hottest part of the day, trudging up and down hills with 16kg on our backs, wearing a chemical warfare protection suit as Adam got some cheap from a bloke he knows down the market (it'll be cheaper than sun screen). We'll be enjoying the summer, and if we're not, well, we'll be conduct coded for just not trying hard enough.
And spare a thought for your poor managers during this long hot summer, forced to either sit in his air conditioned office or worse having to leave early to take his family to the beach or park, while you have the time of your life sweating your socks off and getting paid for it.
Have we no shame.....

[The prisoner]

Well at least we got aircon in our vans to keep us nice and cool. Sorry I think that was the heatstoke thats turning me crazy

[razor]

Its summer!

bring it on

[krussel]

[quote="razor"]Its summer!

Oh boy I am sure we will ask if we can go out early before the missorts and i am also sure we will be told "NO" and held back whilst it gets warmer and warmer outside

[Stormproof]

If it gets as hot as they reckon it will I can see a lot of people collapsing, at 8.50 this morning it was 22.5 and then it got hotter. I ran out of water half way round, luckily the chef at the pub could see I was suffering and filled my bottle back up, with water I tried to park the van in the shade so it would be cool when I returned to it, but that did'nt work it was like sitting in an oven.

[pinstripe]

Nice cooling sea breeze down here, but still hot. Thank god I'm not in London, lads you will look like lobsters, remember sunscreen, hats and plenty of water, now don't forget WEAR A HAT. It doesn't matter whether you have hair like Russell Brand of a head that resembles a pear, sunstroke is not pleasant and can be FATAL!

[axeman]

Yes your right pinstripe but royal fail don't give a fcuk do they...................

[hooniebagoonie]

just a thought boys and girls
i fill a 1.5 litre bottle of water the night before and put it in the freezer.....it melts slowly and gives u a nice refreshing ice cold drink as your walking round and when it gets really hot i pour some of the water in my hat and then put it back on
will probably be told thats dangerous by someone with medical knowledge but it works for me

[hooniebagoonie]

and can someone tell me how to keep my avatar on here all the time

[Stormproof]

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/article.asp ... therAdvice" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hot weather advice

June 2009

The Met Office has warned that hot weather is on the way. Parts of England and Wales are due for high temperatures over the weekend and start of next week.

The Met Office has issued information about the heatwave alert level. There is also further information about weather forecasts up to 25 July.

You can also get more information from the Met Office and the Department of Health websites.
Sun safety

It is very important to stay safe in the sun. Here are some simple tips to staying cool and safe:

Avoid going out in the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm).

Avoid strenuous outdoor activity, like sport, DIY, or gardening.

If you go outside, stay in the shade.

Wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothes, preferably cotton.

Close the curtains in rooms that get a lot of sun.

Take cool showers or baths, and splash yourself several times a day with cold water, particularly your face and the back of your neck.

Drink regularly even if you do not feel thirsty – water and fruit juice are best.

Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol as they can cause dehydration.

Contact your doctor, a pharmacist or NHS Direct (0845 4647) if you’re worried about your health during a heatwave, especially if you are taking medication, or have any unusual symptoms.

[Lounge Lizard]

If it gets as hot as they reckon it will I can see a lot of people collapsing, at 8.50 this morning it was 22.5 and then it got hotter. I ran out of water half way round, luckily the chef at the pub could see I was suffering and filled my bottle back up, with water I tried to park the van in the shade so it would be cool when I returned to it, but that did'nt work it was like sitting in an oven.

and of course the van windows mustn't be open.

[krussel]

Well as i predicted we asked if we could shelve the 9am missorts and got turned down. Loaded up my van by 8:15 and the temp was already 22deg c then sat around waiting for the missorts (i got one live letter only). By the time i got out it was 9:10 and belting hot. Finished at 1:20pm @ 29deg c Drank loads of cold water, It was a bit tough but got round ok

[Stormproof]

What an awful day, felt like I was going to melt, by the time I got back to the yard it was 28.5c in the van. No good having the blowers on it just blows you with hot air Its only going to get worse, I heard on the radio that the Met Office are going to issue a Level 3 Alert tomorrow.

Amber — Heatwave action

Triggered when the Met Office confirms threshold temperatures for one or more regions have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day is greater than 90% confidence that the day threshold will be met. This stage requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups.