Expert advice for staying cool and safe during UK heatwaves: from hydration to home cooling strategies | Leicestershire Live

While we often complain about the cold and wet conditions in the UK, we’re just as vocal about our discomfort during spells of heat. However, instead of just grumbling about the weather, it’s more beneficial to take proactive steps to cool off.

It is essential to be very cautious when temperatures in the UK reach 24 degrees as this is the point at which heat-related illness and death start to increase. Excessive heat can lead to serious health problems and even death, reports Leicestershire Live.

Certain people, such as the over-65s, under-fives, pregnant women, people with medical conditions such as heart disease and mental health disorders, and outdoor workers, are particularly susceptible to heat and need extra protection in the weather warm Gradual acclimatization over time can help increase heat tolerance.

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To stay cool, research suggests that immersing your feet in cold water is an effective way to lower your body temperature and ensure your organs are working properly. This can also help reduce swelling in your ankles and feet.

However, taking a lukewarm shower or bath is the fastest and most effective way to cool down. Avoid the temptation to bathe in extremely cold water, as this can lead to cold shock, which can be dangerous.

During periods of drought, it is important to conserve water and focus on cooling certain areas such as the feet, hands or neck and face. The cooling sensation of a fan can be pleasant, but it does not always help to lower the body temperature. In fact, fans can sometimes exacerbate the situation, especially in dry heat conditions, accelerating dehydration and heat-related illnesses.

The World Health Organization recommends that using a fan in temperatures above 35°C will not reduce the risk of suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Staying hydrated and replacing minerals lost through sweat is crucial. In extremely hot conditions (high 30s), we can sweat between 3-4 liters per hour and up to 10 liters per day, the equivalent of 40 cups of tea.

Hot drinks can temporarily raise your body temperature, but they also stimulate sweating, which later cools you down. Cold and icy drinks can also help cool you down. It is believed that hot drinks may be slightly more effective than cold drinks. Regardless of the temperature, make sure you drink plenty of fluids.

Wild swimming is another way to beat the heat. However, be aware of the risk of cold shock. Immerse your body gradually in the water, be aware of your swimming abilities and familiarize yourself with the regulations for safe swimming places, as many people tragically drown in warm weather.

Those sweltering, sleepless nights during a heat wave might make you wonder if it’s worth saving to install air conditioning. The heat can be particularly intense in urban areas, which form “urban heat islands” – metropolitan regions significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.

However, there is a more energy efficient solution. Green walls and roofs not only add aesthetic appeal, but can also reduce the temperature of the buildings they cover by up to 12C. Green walls can be 32°C cooler than traditional walls and can save up to 59% on energy costs while providing sound insulation.

Since 2008, these green installations have flourished in London boroughs, where they have been incorporated into local planning policies. They cool flat-roofed buildings in summer and insulate them in winter, minimize the risk of flooding by absorbing rainwater, filter air pollution and provide sanctuaries for rare and endangered wildlife that can also struggle with the heat.

Providing bowls of fresh water in your garden or balcony can make a world of difference to wildlife. Birds and hedgehogs will appreciate any food you leave out for them all year round, but during the summer hardened soil can make foraging difficult. Plants also suffer from heat. You can help by learning the best times to water them.

And keep an eye on your animals. Never leave them (or people) in cars. It is best to walk pets in the morning or evening when the pavement and ground surface are cooler.

Climate change is leading to an increase in heat waves. Research indicates that a person born in 1960 would typically experience around four heatwaves, while someone born in 2020 could face up to 30 heatwaves with a temperature rise of 1.5C .There is a 50% probability of reaching this level in the next decade. So taking steps to protect yourself from the heat might seem like a no-brainer, but it could be a matter of life or death.

Chloe Brimicombe, PhD student in climate change and health at the University of Reading, contributed to this article. This article has been republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can read the original article here.

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