West Sussex; Stay Cool In Heatwave

17 July 2013, 15:09 | Updated: 17 July 2013, 15:13

Residents are being urged to take action and extra care as the weather hots up this week.

Temperatures in West Sussex are expected to remain high over the next few days and possibly weeks.

The Met Office forecasts that in the next few days there is a 90 percent chance of temperatures in the south east increasing and the heatwave continuing to give rise to significant health risks – and a Level 3 alert has been issued.

High temperatures can be dangerous, especially for the very young, elderly, or those with serious health conditions.

West Sussex County Council is urging everyone to see if they are at risk, think about vulnerable family members or friends, and to remember top tips for staying cool. Please keep an eye out for neighbours and members of the local community who may be more vulnerable, and pop around to check they are okay during the heatwave.

There are some simple things everyone can do to stay cool and healthy in the extreme hot weather:

•       Stay inside in the coolest room you have, as much as possible.
•       Draw curtains during the day and don’t open windows if it is cooler inside than out.
•       Take cool showers or baths, and splash yourself several times a day with cold water, particularly on the face and back of your neck.
•       Try to eat cold foods such as salads and fruits, which contain water.
•       Drink regularly – water and fruit juices are best. Avoid alcohol as it can make dehydration worse.
•       Protect your skin by applying sun cream regularly when outside, and wear cool clothing and a hat when outside.

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing Christine Field said: “While many of us will enjoy a spell of much warmer weather, we need to look after ourselves and our more vulnerable residents to ensure everyone stays healthy and well. Extreme heat can affect anyone, not just the more vulnerable.

“Please don’t forget animals as well, and ensure they are looked after and kept cool with plenty of water. Please don’t leave dogs alone in cars. It can get unbearably hot in a car on a sunny day. In fact, when it’s just 22°C/72°F outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C/117°F within 60 minutes.”