Summer
Heatwave Advice
When we get to the summer, most of us look forward to the hot weather. Some of us can find the heat uncomfortable and even experience sunburn, heat stroke, and bites from insects that proliferate during warmer weather. You can avoid feeling uncomfortable or unwell by making sure you are prepared for summer.
Heat affects everybody. For some people, in particular, the very young, the elderly and those who have chronic or severe illness, the health risks can be increased. Prolonged hot weather can exacerbate heart and breathing problems, cause dehydration, increase the risks of fainting or falling and worsen the symptoms of asthma. Everybody can be affected by high temperatures, but there are certain factors that increase an individuals risk during a heatwave. For example, those exposed to the sun for long periods such as outdoor workers and the homeless; and people living in top floor flats.
Heat affects everybody. For some people, in particular, the very young, the elderly and those who have chronic or severe illness, the health risks can be increased. Prolonged hot weather can exacerbate heart and breathing problems, cause dehydration, increase the risks of fainting or falling and worsen the symptoms of asthma. Everybody can be affected by high temperatures, but there are certain factors that increase an individuals risk during a heatwave. For example, those exposed to the sun for long periods such as outdoor workers and the homeless; and people living in top floor flats.
Some of the signs of heat-related harm include:
- Feeling dizzy, weak or have intense thirst and headache - move to a cool place as soon as possible.
- Drink some water or diluted fruit juice to rehydrate, avoid excess alcohol.
- Painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen, for example after sustained exercise during very hot weather) - rest immediately in a cool place and drink electrolyte drinks. Most people should start to recover within 30 minutes and if not, they should seek medical help. Call 111 if you feel unusual symptoms, or if symptoms persist.
- Call 999 if a person develops any signs of heatstroke as this is a medical emergency.
Here are a few tips to keep you cool and well:
- Stay hydrated with water
- Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
- If you have to go out cover your head with a hat (preferably with a wide brim) or scarf
- Wear light, loose clothing and choose light coloured clothes
- Apply and re-apply sun screen with a high SPF to protect you from harmful UVB and UVA rays
- Take water with you when travelling
- Limit alcohol as it increases dehydration
- Close curtains on the sunny sides so you avoid the hot sun
- Open the windows in the evening if safe to do so, when its cool
- Avoid extreme physical exertion, remember to drink lots of water when active
- Make sure babies do not overheat, keep them in light clothing, avoid wrapping them in heavy blankets
- If you have an elderly neighbour check they are ok
- Do not leave pets, children or older people in cars or conservatories which can overheat quickly
- Keep a check on the weather. The Met Office has up to date weather forecasts.
For more information see the Beat the heat leaflet and poster.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hot-weather-and-health-guidance-and-advice NHS Choices provides a lot of helpful advice and further information on how to be prepared during a heatwave, who's most at risk and what to do if someone feels unwell. https://www.nhs.uk/Live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/ |
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Water Safety
Drowning is among the leading causes of accidental death in the UK with about 400 people drowning every year and many of these tragedies involve children and young people, cutting short lives and devastating families. In addition, a further 200 people take their own life through drowning. The National Water Safety Forum has produced the first UK Drowning Prevention Strategy (2016-26) with the aim of reducing accidental drowning fatalities in the UK by 50% by 2026.
What to do in an emergency
- Call 999 immediately and ask for help. If you are inland ask for the fire service, if you are at the coast ask for the coastguard
- Give an accurate location as possible
- Keep your eye on the person in the water, or where they last were
- Do not enter the water and attempt to rescue someone, and do not get too close to the waters' edge
- Shout to the person in the water, and encourage them to float on their back and breath normally
- Look for lifesaving equipment such as throwlines, floats or rings to throw to the person in the water
- If the person manages to get out of the water, they will need medical attention, even if they seem okay
The Water Safety code
Ensure you and your family know the SAFE code:
Ensure you and your family know the SAFE code:
- SPOT - spot the dangers
- ADVICE - follow safety signs and advice
- FRIEND - stay close to a friend or family member
- EMERGENCY - shout for help and know the emergency number to call in the country you're in
Winter
Vaccinations
When should I get my flu vaccine? It is best to have the flu vaccination as soon as possible once the vaccine becomes available. The vaccine is offered in the autumn and winter before any outbreaks of flu. Remember that you need it every year, so don't assume you are protected because you had one last year.
When should I get my flu vaccine? It is best to have the flu vaccination as soon as possible once the vaccine becomes available. The vaccine is offered in the autumn and winter before any outbreaks of flu. Remember that you need it every year, so don't assume you are protected because you had one last year.
Keeping warm and well
One of the best ways to keep healthy during winter is to stay warm. This means keeping your home warm, at a minimum of 18°C (65°F). Respiratory diseases, such as asthma, are made much worse living in a cold home. The Met Office website provide weather forecasts, including severe weather warnings, to keep you prepared for all weather during the winter period.
The NHS have many suggestions on how to keep warm during this weather, including more information on keeping your home warm, help with heating costs, protecting your health and looking out for others. The gov.uk website also has further tips and resources on keeping warm and prepared for the cold weather.
One of the best ways to keep healthy during winter is to stay warm. This means keeping your home warm, at a minimum of 18°C (65°F). Respiratory diseases, such as asthma, are made much worse living in a cold home. The Met Office website provide weather forecasts, including severe weather warnings, to keep you prepared for all weather during the winter period.
The NHS have many suggestions on how to keep warm during this weather, including more information on keeping your home warm, help with heating costs, protecting your health and looking out for others. The gov.uk website also has further tips and resources on keeping warm and prepared for the cold weather.
Local support to stay warm:
Living in a cold damp home can be very damaging to your physical and mental health, making health conditions such as respiratory diseases, COPD and asthma, worse. The good news is, there is support out there to help keep your home warm:
Living in a cold damp home can be very damaging to your physical and mental health, making health conditions such as respiratory diseases, COPD and asthma, worse. The good news is, there is support out there to help keep your home warm:
- For advice on how to reduce your energy use and carbon footprint, call Action Surrey on 0800 783 2503 to speak with an energy advisor or email them at info@actionsurrey.org. Contact Action Surrey – Surrey's Low Carbon Community
- For tips on Helping you to cut the cost of living visit Surrey County Council
- Payments are available from the government, such as the winter fuel payment (Tel: 0800 731 0160) and cold weather payment. This year the government is providing additional support to manage fuel bills through the energy support scheme. These should be paid to qualifying residents automatically.
- Age UK Surrey provide information to help people stay safe, warm and well in the winter, including money saving tips and advice on benefits and grants, advocacy and counselling.
Being cold can raise the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. There are many things you can do to help:
- Keep active when you are indoors - try not to sit still for more than an hour, keeping your body moving will keep you warm. There are many ways you can keep active.
- Look after yourself - eating well can help improve your wellbeing, manage weight and reduce the risk of developing illnesses and diseases. Food is a vital source or energy, which helps keep the body warm.
- Look after your mental wellbeing - if you are feeling low, see ways you can improve your mental wellbeing through self-help methods.
- Look out for others - remember that other people, like older neighbours, friends and family members, may need a bit of extra help and care over the winter period. Check on them when you can.
- Stock your medicine cabinet up for winter - your pharmacist can advise you on which medicines you should have, to help you get you and your family through the winter season. Most winter illnesses can not be treated by antibiotics.
Surrey Warm Hubs:
Surrey Warm Hubs are being set up across Surrey this winter as places within the local community where people can enjoy a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy a hot drink, social activity and receive information and advice. The service is open to all but is particularly beneficial to residents in hard to heat homes, those who are isolated, or those worried about their energy bills. With help from partners across Surrey, we aim to run these hubs from November 2022 to March 2023.
Visit the Warm Hubs webpage to see your nearest Warm Hub.
Surrey Warm Hubs are being set up across Surrey this winter as places within the local community where people can enjoy a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy a hot drink, social activity and receive information and advice. The service is open to all but is particularly beneficial to residents in hard to heat homes, those who are isolated, or those worried about their energy bills. With help from partners across Surrey, we aim to run these hubs from November 2022 to March 2023.
Visit the Warm Hubs webpage to see your nearest Warm Hub.
Teach your children how to prevent the spread of germs.
This is best done when you have illness at home and you can model what to do. Little ones can't always do this for themselves but it is important to show and teach them what to do and help them to do what they can.
Bugs such as cold and flu viruses are easily spread to others. Three simple steps, Catch It, Bin It, Kill It, can help these from spreading:
This is best done when you have illness at home and you can model what to do. Little ones can't always do this for themselves but it is important to show and teach them what to do and help them to do what they can.
Bugs such as cold and flu viruses are easily spread to others. Three simple steps, Catch It, Bin It, Kill It, can help these from spreading:
- Catch it - germs spread easily, always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Teach them how to cough into their own elbow of their arm.
- Bin it - germs can live for several hours on tissues, dispose of your tissue as soon as possible
- Kill it - hands can transfer germs to every surface you touch, wash your hands with soap and water regularly.