Top tips for staying safe in the warm weather from Hertfordshire health experts

Notes to editors

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Full list of top tips:

Top tips for staying safe when the heat arrives:
• Keep your home cool by closing curtains in rooms that face the sun.
• If the air outside is warmer than the air in your home, closing windows can help to keep the cooler air inside.
• Drink plenty of fluids regularly throughout the day and consider limiting your alcohol intake to prevent dehydration, especially if you are active. Take water with you if you are travelling.
• It may be cooler to go outside than stay indoors. If you go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen.
• Keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest.
• Cool down by applying cool water to exposed skin by spray or sponge, and use cold packs wrapped in a cloth under the armpits or on the neck to bring down your temperature.
• If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening.
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children, vulnerable adults and animals.
• Public buildings such as places of worship, local libraries or supermarkets may be cooler than your home. If they are nearby, consider visiting one of these as a way of cooling down.
If you are fasting during a heatwave, it is important to drink enough to adequately hydrate before you fast and follow guidance. People with underlying health conditions should seek medical advice before fasting.

Day out by the water?
Make sure you’re prepared for emergencies:
• Stay well away from the water’s edge – rivers and lakes are full of hidden dangers, and even on a hot day the water can be cold enough to cause cold water shock.
• If you spot someone in trouble in the water, remember Call, Tell, Throw. Call 999 straight away and ask for the fire service inland or the coastguard on the coast. Tell the person in trouble to float on their back. Throw them something that floats to help keep them safe until help arrives. Never get in the water yourself.
• Know your location so you can tell emergency services where you are. A great way to do this is to download the what3words app, which divides the world into 3 metre squares giving each location a unique address which will help 999 call handlers pinpoint your exact location in the event of an emergency. You can also access what3words on their website: com

Enjoying a barbecue?
Follow our safety advice:
• Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs, or garden waste.
• Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not more (normally around 5cms or 2 inches).
• Keep children, pets, and garden games away from the cooking area.
• Keep a bucket of water, sand, or a garden hose nearby for emergencies.
• After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it, the coals can stay hot for hours afterwards.
• Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they’re hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.
• Never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your barbecue; use only recognised lighters or starter fuels on cold coals.
• Never leave a lit barbecue unattended.

Reducing the risk of wildfires during hot and dry weather
• Take your litter home.
• Discard of cigarettes carefully. Never throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.
• Glass in direct sunlight can cause fires - ensure there is none lying around.
• Don’t have campfires or barbecues in the countryside. Only have them in safe designated areas.
• Avoid having bonfires in very dry weather. If you must have a bonfire, follow our bonfire safety advice.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of playing with fire and matches. Keep matches and lighters stored far away from children and teenagers.