Heat Health: what you need to know this summer
Many people enjoy warm weather, but exposure to very high temperatures can cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke in the elderly, young children, and other vulnerable groups.
Met Eireann has issued a Yellow High Temperature weather warning for many regions of Ireland for the next few days.
The following advice will help keep you and your family safe in high temperatures whether at home or abroad.
When outside you should:
- avoid going out during the hottest part of the day if possible (11am to 3pm)
- wear light and loose-fitting clothing that covers your skin
- wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses
- regularly apply a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) water-resistant sunscreen to skin that is not covered, using factor 30+ for adults and 50+ for children
- stay in the shade
Tips for keeping cool in hot weather at home and abroad:
- Be aware of the weather forecasts for your destination
- Follow the local heat-health alert advice
- Consider who in your party is most vulnerable – e.g. young children and older people - and plan around making sure they are protected from excessive heat
- Drink plenty of fluids; avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine, as these can dehydrate you
- Avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day
- Take regular breaks indoors or in a shaded place to cool down
- Limit your physical activity to cooler parts of the day, such as morning or evening
- Keep your room(s) cool (draw blinds/curtains to block out the daytime sun); open windows when the air outside is cooler than the air inside – so mornings and evenings)
- Take a cool bath or shower if you feel too hot
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes
For further heat health advice visit https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/environmentandhealth/severeweatherevents/heat/
To protect you and your family from UV radiation wear sunscreen, and follow the SunSmart advice.