UK September heatwave: Advice for keeping pets and people cool
- Published
It may technically be autumn but most of England is facing an amber heat-health alert this week.
Parts of the country are set to hit highs of 32C, Wales is also set to experience the heat and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland could see "unseasonably high temperatures".
So how do you keep cool when the weather gets hotter? Keep reading for our top tips.
What is the heat-health alert system?
The heat health alert system lets people know the risk through four different colours
The UK Health Security Agency's heat-health alerts warn people when temperatures get so high that the heat could damage their health.
It gives information and advice to people based on where they live as well as sending guidance to NHS England, the government and those working in healthcare.
There are four alert colours - green, yellow, amber and red which tell you which groups of people are at risk based on things like age and if they have a health condition.
How to keep cool and stay safe during hot weather
Pupils are advised to drink water to maintain concentration
When the temperatures are rising, here's how you can keep your cool.
Stay hydrated - when it gets hot, your body will sweat more, which means you will become dehydrated more quickly. Make sure you drink lots of water and eat snacks like fruit to keep your energy up.
Wear sunscreen - sunscreen is super important to help protect your skin from the Sun's ultra violet (UV) rays, which can cause burns or make you feel unwell. When you're looking for a good sunscreen, look out for ones with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) number like SPF 30 or 50 for more protection. Look for sunscreens with 'broad spectrum' coverage, which will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure you re-apply your sunscreen regularly throughout the day.
Cover up - wear light coloured clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible.
Clothes - loose-fitting or even long-sleeved clothes can help to keep you cool and protect you. Lighter colours like white can help to reflect the sunlight, whereas darker colours like black can absorb heat and might make you feel warmer.
Find cover - when the sunlight peaks between 12-3pm it is best to find shade to stay out of the Sun's most intense rays. Find a nice big leafy tree to relax under, or pop inside for a bit.
Accessorise - sunglasses, hats and headscarves can all help to protect your eyes and the top of your head.
Splish, splash, splosh! - as well as drinking water you can also use water to help keep cool! Things like paddling pools, water fights, or a lukewarm shower can all help to cool you down.
Find a fan - whether it's a homemade paper fan, or an electric one, fans can help to blow cooler air around you. If you have an electric fan, place it near to a window, so that it sucks the cooler air from outside to blow inside.
Make sure to reapply sunscreen often, especially after swimming!
More tips!
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said "we want everyone to enjoy the hot weather when it arrives" but encouraged everyone to keep an eye on friends and family who might not cope as well in the heat.
The UKHSA says there are a number of ways to keep the heat at bay, including:
Cover windows to prevent sunlight from warming rooms
Keep windows and vents open to allow fresh air in
Store important medicines in cool areas away from sunlight
Make sure fridges and freezers are working
How to take care of your pets during hot weather
WATCH: Rory the vet's top tips to keep your pets cool
The RSPCA and Blue Cross charities gave us these top tips to help keep your pets cool.
Never leave your pets in a hot car even just for a short time. Temperatures can rise really quickly in there.
Try to keep pets out of the sunshine completely. If you need to take your dog out for exercise head out early in the day before it gets hot or leave it late as possible towards evening. Watch out for how warm the pavement is. If it's too hot for your hand, then it's too hot for their paws.
Pet lotion is a thing! If you have to take your pet outside for a short period of time you could use pet-safe sun lotion on exposed parts of your pet's skin, especially the tips of their ears and nose. Keep pets in the shade wherever possible.
Make sure your pet has access to both shade and fresh drinking water. Put ice cubes in their water bowl or maybe make some frozen pet-friendly treats. If you're out and about with your pet, make sure you take plenty of fresh water out with you.
When its hot you might need to restrict the amount of activity they do or when they do it. For example avoid walking dogs in the middle of the day when it is usually hottest.
Keep an eye on where your pets are, especially cats, so they don't end up locked in a hot greenhouse or shed. Also make sure you know where they are or put up screens if you have windows or balcony doors open.
For pet fish, lizards and birds, their tanks and cages should be kept away from direct sunlight and any water changed regularly to stop them overheating.
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