South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) has issued advice to the public for how to keep themselves, and others, safe in the heat as the third heat wave of summer 2025 arrives and a yellow heat health alert is in place from today (Thursday, 10 July) until 10:00am on Tuesday, 15 July.
Whilst many people can enjoy the hot summer weather safely, high temperatures can mean some people are at greater risk of becoming ill; such as older people aged 65 and over, babies and young children aged 5 and under, and people with underlying health conditions.
To minimise the risk of a heat-related emergency, SCAS is urging the public to:
- Stay hydrated, and limit the amount of alcohol drunk
- Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB and at least a 4-star UVA protection
- Exercise in the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening, and stay out of the sun altogether between 11am and 3pm
- Ensure you always have any prescription medication and/or an inhaler with you
- Check in regularly with elderly relatives and neighbours
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down. It does not usually need medication if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If you do not take action to cool down, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.
Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- tiredness
- weakness
- feeling faint
- headache
- muscle cramps
- feeling or being sick
Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high. Heatstroke is a medical emergency and if you think someone is suffering with heatstroke, call 999 and then try to cool them down.
Common symptoms of heatstroke include:
- confusion
- lack of co-ordination
- fast heartbeat
- fast breathing or shortness of breath
- hot skin that is not sweating
- seizures
Find out more about heat exhaustion and heatstroke here: Heat exhaustion and heatstroke – NHS
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