SCARY MARY SAYS BE SAFE ON BONFIRE NIGHT AND USE THE FIREWORK CODE

 

 

SCARY MARY SAYS SAFEY FIRST

 

The Firework Code

Always follow the firework code, stick to these simple rules, and be safe this bonfire night.

• only buy fireworks marked BS 7114

• don’t drink alcohol if you’re setting off fireworks

• store fireworks in a closed box

• follow the instructions on each firework

• light fireworks at arm’s length, using the taper provided

• stand well back

• never go near a firework that has been lit – even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode

• never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them

• always supervise children around fireworks

• light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves

• never give sparklers to a child under five

• keep pets indoors

• don’t set off noisy fireworks late at night and never after 11.00pm (except on certain occasions)

• take care around open flames such as bonfires and barbecues – all clothes even those labeled ‘low flammability’ can catch fire

The Law

If you misuse them you may be liable for an on the spot fine of £80. If found guilty by the courts you could get a fine of up to £5,000.
It is an offence to:

• buy adult fireworks if you are under 18

• set off fireworks in the street or other public places

• set off fireworks between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am

You can let off fireworks until 12.00 pm on bonfire night and until 1.00 am on Christmas, New Years Eve, Chinese New Year or Diwali.
If you are using fireworks you will need to be aware of your neighbours and make sure that you do not cause a nuisance.

Be safe not sorry

Having fireworks at home can be great fun, as long as they are used safely. Follow our simple steps to make sure your display is safe and fun.

Fireworks are safe if you use them properly. If you’re putting on a home display, you should follow some simple steps to make sure that everyone has a good time without getting hurt.

Keep kids safe

We want children to enjoy fireworks but they need to know that they can be dangerous if they are not used properly. Each year, over half of all firework injuries are suffered by children. The Child Accident Prevention Trust have more guidance on keeping kids safe

Sparkler safely

Did you know that sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil? Sparklers are not toys and should never be given to a child under five.

Where to buy

Don’t cut corners just to save a few quid. Always buy fireworks from a reputable shop to make sure that they conform to British Standards. This means that they should have BS 7114 written on the box.

Sometimes shops open up for a short time before Bonfire Night but these may not be the best places to buy fireworks from. Staff in these shops might not be very knowledgeable about using fireworks safely and their fireworks might not meet British Standards.

Whatever you do, don’t buy fireworks from anywhere you’re not sure about, such as the back of a van or from a temporary, unlicensed market stall.

What to buy

There are different categories of fireworks. Members of the public can buy and set off most of the fireworks that come under Categories 1 to 3. These are fireworks that include those that you can use indoors, in your garden or at a display. Always read the packet carefully and make sure that the fireworks you buy are suitable for the place where you are going to set them off.

Professional fireworks

Some fireworks can only be bought and used by firework professionals. These include: air bombs; aerial shells, aerial maroons, shells-in-mortar and maroons-in-mortar; all bangers; mini rockets; fireworks with erratic flight; some Category 2 and 3 fireworks which exceed certain size limits; and all Category 4 fireworks.

Setting them off

Only one person should be in charge of fireworks. If that’s you, then make sure you take all the necessary precautions. Read the instructions in daylight and don’t drink any alcohol until they’ve all been discharged. Make your preparations in advance, and in daylight. On the night, you will need…

a torch 
a bucket or two of water 
eye protection and gloves 
a bucket of soft earth to put fireworks in 
suitable supports and launchers if you’re setting off catherine wheels or rockets.

Firework displays

If you are organising a firework display for the general public, read our information on how to organise safe and successful firework displays.

Protect your animals

You should take precautions to protect your pets during the times of the year when fireworks are likely to be set off.

COPY AND PASTE AND PRINT OUT

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Halloween Poems for kids by Paul Perro

Halloween is a fun night
With lots of strange creatures to see.
There are black cats,
And giant bats,
Let’s meet some more, shall we?

Vampire
Vampires have pale white skin
They just come out at night.
Give one half a chance and he
Will give your neck a bite.

Witch
A witch flies past on her broomstick,
Over the roof of your house. 
It would be better
Not to upset her, 
She’d turn you into a mouse. 

Skeleton
Skeletons walk about the town. 
They have no skin, just bone. 
Sometimes for fun they play their ribs 
Just like a xylophone

Ghost
I am a spooky ghost
Being scary’s what I do.
I like to sneak behind people
And whisper softly “Wooooo!”

 

 

 

 

Mummy
I come from ancient Egypt
They call me the mummy.
Bandages cover my arms, my legs,
My head, my chest, my tummy.

 

 

 

Grim Reaper The grim reaper looks very scary, But it’s not really what he intends. With his scythe and his hood,  He is misunderstood,  He really just wants to be friends.

 

Werewolf
The sun is going down,
It will be night time soon.
The werewolf will be coming out
And howling at the moon.

 

 

 

 

Demon
With its scary horns & giant wings
Everyone’s scared of the demon.
All he has to do is smile,
And people run off screamin’.

 

 

The Headless Horseman
I am the headless horseman, 
Has anyone seen my head?
Oh never mind, there’s a pumpkin,
That’ll do instead!

 

Zombie
A zombie shuffles and staggers, 
Eyes rolled, arms outstretched,
“The Walking Dead”
It’s often said 
(But I think that’s far-fetched).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Bunny
I am the Easter Bunny, 
You see me at Easter time.
I think it’s pretty obvious
That I’m in the wrong rhyme.

 

 

 

The Devil
Two horns, a tail, a trident… 
Must be the devil, I guess.
No wait, that’s not the devil, it’s
A boy in fancy dress.

 

 

Jack O’Lantern
There are lots of monsters about tonight, 
But you’ll be safe, don’t worry.
The Jack o’lantern will scare them off,
They won’t be back in a hurry.

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Boost Your Child’s Immune System

6 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Immune System

We don’t just have to accept our child’s current state of health. We can actually take measures to boost their defenses, speed healing, and help them to gain a greater level of wellness.

Here’s how:

1. It starts with a great diet.

Children’s immune systems can take a hit if they’re constantly being bombarded with food intolerances, additives, preservatives, and sugar. When a child has a food allergy, her digestion suffers, inflammation is ramped up, which makes fending off viruses and bacteria much more difficult. It’s a similar story when a child takes in more additives and preservatives than her body can deal with.

Sugar has been shown in many clinical trials to actually suppress immunity. To keep kids well, limit their overall intake of additives, sugar, and find out which foods are allergens. Focus on plenty of fresh veggies, whole fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, eggs, and meat.

2. Maintain your child’s microbiota!

Probiotics are the friendly helpful bacteria that naturally occur in our guts. They protect our digestive tracts, help us to digest food, assist in toxin clearance, and shield us from invading bacteria and viruses. When this bacterial balance becomes disrupted in children, we can see changes in a child’s ability to fend off infections.

I recommend starting children on a probiotic supplement containing lactobacillus and bifidobacteria strains early on — between 5 and 20 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) per day depending on age.

3. Help calm their stress and anxiety.

In today’s fast-paced world, parents are overstressed, children are over-scheduled, and everyone suffers. Children’s bodies have the same response to stress that adults’ do — their cortisol and adrenaline rises. When this elevation in stress hormones is sustained, their immune systems’ response is lowered.

It’s important for children to have lots of down time, time for creative play, and simply times of rest. Busy bodies need to take a break every now and then for their immune systems to thrive.

4. Make sure they’re getting enough good sleep.

Most children are not getting the required amount of sleep. Depending on age, children need between ten and 14 hours of sleep per day. And it’s the quality of sleep that matters most. For proper secretion of melatonin (our sleep hormone), children need to sleep in the dark, without a night light. Since electromagnetic frequency has also been shown to affect sleep quality, make sure your child’s room is unplugged. Make sure all electronic devices are unplugged or better yet, just keep them in another room.

5. Remember that fever helps fight infection.

Although many parents panic at the first sign of a rise in temperature on the thermometer, it’s important to recognize that fever is only a sign of and not an illness itself. Fever is your child’s body’s response to an infection and without it, her body isn’t as effective at fighting the illness. The truth is, your child’s immune systems works better at a high temperature too, so she can get better quickly. Please note that while I do encourage fevers, it’s important to see a physician to make sure the fever is not a sign that something else is going on.

6. Supplements and herbs can work wonders.

The best supplements to boost a child’s immune system are vitamin D and zinc. The herbs elderberry and astragalus are my favorites for recurrent respiratory tract infections. For allergies, fish oil, vitamin C, and nettles work wonders. Please make sure to see your physician before starting your child on any new supplement or herb regiment

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Do school gardens help our children grow stronger?

How school gardens help our children grow stronger As well as helping children lead happier, healthier lives today, the research showed gardening helped them acquire the essential skills they need to fulfil their potential in a rapidly-changing world and make a positive contribution to society as a whole. The 3 Rs of School Gardening Although the benefits of gardening as a teaching tool are many and varied, we’ve identified 3 core areas in which children’s lives are radically improved. They become: 1. Ready to learn 2. Resilient 3. Responsible Specifically it found that gardening in schools encourages children to: • Become stronger, more active learners capable of thinking independently and adapting their skills and knowledge to new challenges at school and in future; • Gain a more resilient, confident and responsible approach to life so they can achieve their goals and play a positive role in society; • Learn vital job skills such as presentation skills, communication and team work, and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit; • Embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle as an important tool for success at school and beyond; •

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Always remember the green cross code

 

 

Molly the mouse was walking to school with Cheeky Monkey
When the wind blew off her hat into a tree,
“I will get it I will get your hat for you”
Without further ado
Cheeky Monkey chased the hat it blew into the middle of the road
Molly looked worried she knew how dangerous the road can be
“No! No! She shouted look at all the traffic can’t you see?
“You must wait at the crossroads for the little green man to appear.”
Cheeky Monkey just ran and ran he didn’t listen,the hat was near
Molly waited for his safe return
She knew Cheeky Monkey didn’t listen to her concerns
All Molly could do was sit and watch
Her brave friend weave and dodge
The traffic in his plight to capture her hat
Molly just wanted her friend back
That is why it is always best
To use the green cross code
You will always be safe on the roads

Gillian Sims

This poem was taken from Manners Bear And Friends my new children’s poetry book  now available at Waterstone’s

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kids and bicycle safety

 Myths and Facts

Learning to ride a bike is a developmental milestone in the life of a child. The bicycle, a child’s first vehicle, is a source of pride and a symbol of independence and freedom. Yet all too often children are seriously injured, or even killed, when they fail to follow basic bicycle safety rules. The following is a list of common bicycle safety myths, coupled with the correct information you need to teach your children about safe bike riding. These facts will help you and your children make every bike ride safe.

Myth: My child doesn’t need to wear a helmet on short rides around the neighborhood.

Fact: Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. In fact, the majority of bike crashes happen near home. A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.

Myth: A football helmet will work just as well as a bicycle helmet.

Fact: Only a bicycle helmet is made specifically to protect the head from any fall that may occur while biking. Other helmets or hard hats are made to protect the head from other types of injury. Never allow your child to wear another type of helmet when riding a bike.

Myth: I need to buy a bicycle for my child to grow into.

Fact: Oversized bikes are especially dangerous. Your child does not have the skills and coordination needed to handle a bigger bike and may lose control. Your child should be able to sit on the seat, with hands on the handlebars, and place the balls of both feet on the ground. Your child’s first bike should also be equipped with footbrakes, since your children’s hand muscles and coordination are not mature enough to control hand brakes.

Myth: It’s safer for my child to ride facing traffic.

Fact: Your child should always ride on the right, with traffic. Riding against traffic confuses or surprises drivers. Almost one fourth of bicycle-car collisions result from bicyclists riding against traffic.

Myth: Children shouldn’t use hand signals, because signaling may cause them to lose control of their bikes.

Fact: Hand signals are an important part of the rules of the road and should be taught to all children before they begin to ride in the street. They are an important communication link between cyclists and motorists. Any child who does not have the skills necessary to use hand signals without falling or swerving shouldn’t be riding in the street to begin with. Many accidents involving older children occur when they fail to signal motorists as to their intended actions.

Myth: Bike reflectors and a reflective vest will make it safe for my child to ride at night.

Fact: It’s never safe for your child to ride a bike at night. Night riding requires special skills and special equipment. Few youngsters are equipped with either. Never allow your child to ride at dusk or after dark.

Myth: I don’t need to teach my child all of this bicycle safety stuff. I was never injured as a child. Biking is just meant to be fun.

Fact: Riding a bike is fun – if it’s done safely. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize hundreds of thousands of children are seriously injured each year in bicycle falls. Worse still, more than 600 children die from them each year. While you may have been lucky enough to survive childhood without a serious bicycle-related injury, you shouldn’t count on luck to protect your child.

Teach your child these basic safety rules:

1. Wear a helmet.
2. Ride on the right side, with traffic.
3. Use appropriate hand signals.
4. Respect traffic signals.

Basic safety measures like these can keep bicycle riding enjoyable and safe for your child. 

 

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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Cooking Safety

 

 

 

A friend of mine was at home one evening with her three sons, ages 8, 6 and 1, and her mother. Her husband was away on a business trip. A fire started in the microwave in the kitchen and quickly spread to other rooms. She told her 8-year-old to grab the baby and get outside. Then she got her 6-year-old and her mother out and called 911 from her cellphone. In that moment, she realized how lucky they were: Their home was badly damaged, but her family was safe.

In my 10 years at the National Fire Protection Association, I’ve heard many tragic stories about home fires. But I’d never personally known anyone who had experienced one until it happened to my friend. And it’s because of experiences like hers — and those of other families who were not so lucky — that the theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week, taking place October 6-12, is “Prevent Kitchen Fires.”

Our mission this week is to spread the word about how dangerous kitchen fires can be — and provide safety tips that can prevent them. Did you know that …

1. More fires start in the kitchen than in any other place in the home. Two of every five home fires start there.

2. Cooking fires are common — and deadly. On average, they cause 44 percent of home fires, 15 percent of home fire deaths and 38 percent of home fire injuries each year.

3. Multitasking while cooking is not a good idea. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires, responsible for one-third of them.

4. Frying is the #1 activity associated with cooking fires. Cooking oil or grease can easily catch fire if it gets too hot — and because frying is typically done in an open pan, a fire can spread easily once it starts..

5. The most common equipment involved in home cooking fires? Ranges or cooktops, which accounted for 58 percent of fires. Ovens accounted for 16 percent.

6. An electric range is more dangerous than a gas range. That’s because, with an electric range, it may be less obvious that a burner is on — and because burners on electric ranges stay hot for a period of time even when turned off.

7. Microwave ovens are more dangerous than you think. They’re one of the leading home products associated with scald burn injuries, accounting for 44 percent of the microwave injuries seen in emergency rooms in 2011.

8. In the kitchen, it usually isn’t fires that burn young kids. More often, it’s contact with a hot stove or pans or a scald from hot cooking liquids or steam. In fact, children under age 5 accounted for 55 percent of tableware scalds, 42 percent of contact burns from ranges or ovens, and 34 percent of microwave scalds in 2011.

9. What you wear while cooking makes a difference. Though loose clothing was the item first ignited in only 1 percent of home cooking fires, these incidents accounted for 16 percent of cooking fire deaths.

10. Taking matters into your own hands can make matters worse. Three out of five people who were injured during cooking fires were injured while trying to fight the fire themselves.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your family safe.

1. Cook only when you’re alert — not when you’re exhausted, not when you’ve been drinking.
2. Keep an eye on what you fry. If you have to step away from the stove, turn it off.
3. Keep things that can catch fire — such as dish towels, potholders and paper towels — away from the stove. And avoid cooking in your bathrobe — the loose sleeves can catch fire easily.
4. Keep hot things away from the edges of tables and counters.
5. Open microwaved food slowly, and keep the food away from your face.
6. Have a “kid-free” zone of at least 3 feet around the stove and anything hot — and never hold your child while you’re cooking or carrying something hot.
7. Teach kids to stay away from the stove and hot foods.
8. Keep pets off cooking surfaces.
9. Install smoke alarms in the kitchen, outside each sleeping area, inside each bedroom, and on every level of your home (including the basement).
10. If you have a fire, just get outside, stay outside and call the fire department.

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How to Prevent your children from being burnt

 

 

Preventing and Treating Burns

, Someone died from a fire every 169 minutes in 2014. Countless others suffered burns in the home. Many of these injuries and deaths might have been prevented with a working smoke alarm or some simple home safety tips. With a little thought and preparation, you can protect yourself and the ones you love. Here’s how.

Preventing Burns While Cooking

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s not surprising that most accidental burns occur there. Fortunately, many of these burns can be prevented. Here are a few tips to help you make your kitchen a safer place. 

• Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking.
• Turn pot handles toward the back or center of the stove.
• Keep items such as dish towels, plastic bags, and long sleeves away from the heating surface.
• Never cook while holding a child or pet.
• Keep small children and pets away from the front of the oven or stove.

First Aid for Kitchen Burns

If despite your best efforts, you or a family member suffers a burn in the kitchen, follow these first aid tips:

• Run cool water over the burned area, soak it in cool water (not ice water), or cover it with a clean, cold, wet towel.
• Cover the burn with a sterile bandage or a clean cloth.
• Protect the burn from pressure and friction.
• Use over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain.
• Do not apply butter, ice, fluffy cotton dressing, adhesive bandages, cream, oil spray, or any household remedy to a burn.
• If a burn appears to be severe or you develop signs of infection, call your doctor.

Preventing Scalding Burns

Of the many types of burns that can happen in your home, scalds may be the most unexpected. Thousands of people are injured each year by hot liquids and many of them are young children. Children have thinner skin than adults and are more likely to receive severe burns from hot liquid. Simple precautions can protect you and your family from scalding burns

• Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees.
• Always test bath water before placing a child in the tub.
• Never leave a child unattended in the bathtub.
• Turn pot handles toward the back or center of the stove so children cannot tip pots over.
• Never warm baby bottles in the microwave; they may heat unevenly and can burn your baby’s mouth.
• Use mugs or coffee cups with lids when you are around children.
• Keep hot liquids like soup, coffee, or tea away from the edge of counters and tables.

First Aid for Scalding Burns

If you or a family member suffers a scalding burn, take the following steps to start healing:

• Remove any clothing that is wet from the hot liquid.
• Slowly cool the injury under running tap water for 30 minutes.
• Do not apply ice, because it may stop important blood flow to the damaged skin.
• Do not apply butter or salves to scald injuries.
•  A COMMENT OR GIVE US YOUR  ADVICE

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3 year olds teeth decayed..I’m so upset – HELP?

My sons teeth are awful he has cavities in all his front 4 teeth as far as I can see his bottom ones are fine but my view of the rest at the top is not good i’m devastated. I don’t know what to do.

They’ve been bad for a couple months and just getting worse and worse he is only 3 and all the research I can find say he is going to have to have them pulled, how can a 3 year old go 5 years with no front teeth.

They get brushed twice a day but not for long he doesn’t mind his teeth being brushed on the bottom but won’t ever let me get to the top ones never has done and now this has happened and it’s all my fault and I don’t know what I’m gonna do.

I’ve been in tears for days just thinking of it, I know I need to do something or the next stage is them turning black getting infected and falling out.

He already has a chip in one of his front tooth from when he was a younger baby and so this adds to the bad look of them.

I feel I’ve set my son up for a lifetime of dental work and I’m heartbroken.

I can’t let him get them pulled out it’s just not fair, but they’re so bad and I know I’m risking things.

I can’t bring myself to book a dentist appointment. I’ve really messed up. Why did I never try harder..

He still drinks from a bottle at night, it’s his only comfort thing he has, no dummy or blanket or special toy. All he wants is his bottle and he gets very happy when he gets it at night and tonight he cried himself to sleep because I couldn’t give it to him, I just want my son to be happy though? He doesn’t understand why I’ve taken it away, he can’t speak and has limited understanding.

I don’t know what to do, I really don’t. I’m gutted, so gutted, absolutely devastated…my poor boy…..

I just needed to rant. Does anyone have any advice or ever had a kid with such bad teeth? Will he face being picked on with no front teeth? How will it affect him? Omg.

YOUR COMMENTS AND ADVICE COULD  PREVENT KID’S TEETH FROM DECAY!

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The dummy debate: Pros and cons

 

Deciding w
hether to give a baby a dummy remains a hotly debated topic.

There are good reasons both for and again, so it all comes down to parents’ choice. We look at the facts in the dummy debate.

The pros: A few reasons to use a dummy

There are many good reasons to use dummies — just ask any parent who’s managed to get a moment of peace with the judicious use of one. But a bit of peace isn’t the only plus. Others include:

• Protection against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The Department of Health advises that giving your baby a dummy at the start of any sleep period may reduce the risk of SIDS. Use the dummy when putting baby down to sleep — don’t put it back in baby’s mouth once he’s already asleep.
• Helping babies pacify themselves. Infants need ways to help soothe themselves and a dummy can be a source of comfort for a crying or colickybaby.
• It satisfies the suck reflex. Some babies have a need to suck that exceeds the time they get on the bottle or breast. For these infants, a dummy can meet this very real need.
• Easier weaning. When you’re ready for a child to stop, it’s much easier to wean them from a dummy than off their thumb.

 

Cons: Reasons to avoid a dummy

While some parents hope to avoid dummies altogether, many experts don’t think that’s necessary. Yet there are a few issues to watch for when using a dummy:

• Research has suggested that there may be a link between use of a dummy and recurrent ear infections in young children.  Researchers aren’t sure why this happens, but suspect it may be due to a change in pressure between the middle ear and upper throat. The Department of Health advises that parents who give their child a dummy should not be overly concerned by these research findings. It was not clear, it notes, whether parents participating in the research had a tendency to use dummies to soothe young children who were prone to recurrent ear infections.
• If a dummy is introduced too early, there’s the risk of nipple confusion for a baby who’s just learning to suckle. When a baby is being breastfed, it’s best not to give a dummy until breastfeeding is well established, usually at about one month old.
• Parents can mistakenly offer a dummy when the baby really needs nutrition-based sucking, such as a breast or bottle.

Babies who are overzealous suckers, or who use a dummy for long periods, may have problems as their teeth grow and develop.  Overuse of a dummy can also hinder speech development, which is why it’s recommended that you try to limit the times your baby uses a dummy, and to wean your baby off the dummy completely by the age of one.

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Heatwave: be prepared

 

Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it’s too hot for too long there are health risks. If a heatwave hits this summer, make sure the hot weather doesn’t harm you or anyone you know.

 

 

The very young, the elderly and the seriously ill are the groups who are particularly at risk of health problems when the weather is very hot. In particular, very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse.

“There is considerable evidence that heatwaves are dangerous and can kill,” says Graham Bickler of Public Health England. In August 2003, temperatures hit 38ºC (101ºF) during a nine-day heatwave, the highest recorded in the UK.

“In the 2003 heatwave, there were 2,000 to 3,000 excess deaths [more than usual] in England. Across Europe, there were around 30,000 excess deaths.”

Public Health England’s heatwave plan 2014 (PDF, 1.19Mb) has advice on how to cope during a heatwave. Knowing how to keep cool during long periods of hot weather can help save lives.

“Most of the information is common sense,” says Bickler. “It’s not rocket science, but it can have a dramatic effect.”

When heat becomes a problem

An average temperature of 30°C by day and 15°C overnight would trigger a health alert (this figure varies slightly around the UK). These temperatures can have a significant effect on people’s health if they last for at least two days and the night in between.

The Meteorological Office has a warning system that issues alerts if a heatwave is likely. Level one is the minimum alert and is in place from June 1 until September 15 (which is the period that heatwave alerts are likely to be raised).

• minimum alert – people should be aware of what to do if the alert level is raised
• level two alert – there is a high chance that a heatwave will occur within the next few days
• level three alert – when a heatwave is happening
• level four alert – when a heatwave is severe

Why is a heatwave a problem?

The main risks posed by a heatwave are: 

• dehydration (not having enough water)
• overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing
• heat exhaustion
• heatstroke

Who is most at risk?

A heatwave can affect anyone, but the most vulnerable people in extreme heat are:

• older people, especially those over 75
• babies and young children
• people with a serious chronic condition, especially heart or breathing problems
• people with mobility problems – for example, people with Parkinson’s disease or who have had a stroke
• people with serious mental health problems
• people on certain medications, including those that affect sweating and temperature control
• people who misuse alcohol or drugs
• people who are physically active – for example, labourers or those doing sports

Tips for coping in hot weather

The following advice applies to everybody when it comes to keeping cool and comfortable and reducing health risks:

• Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. If it’s safe, open them for ventilation when it is cooler.
• Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day) if you’re vulnerable to the effects of heat.
• Keep rooms cool by using shades or reflective material outside the windows. If this isn’t possible, use light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
• Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.
• Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
• Stay tuned to the weather forecast on the radio or TV, or on the Met Office website.
• Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any medications you need.
• Identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool.
• Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat if you go outdoors.
• Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.

Find out more about what to do during a heatwave alert level two, level three or level four.

If you’re worried about yourself or a vulnerable neighbour, friend or relative, you can contact the local environmental health office at your local authority.

Environmental health workers can visit a home to inspect it for hazards to health, including excess heat. Find your local authority on the GOV.UK website.  

How do I know if someone needs help?

If someone feels unwell, get them somewhere cool to rest. Give them plenty of fluids to drink.

Seek medical help if symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, weakness, dizziness or cramps get worse or don’t go away.

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