Staying safe in hot weather easy read

Hot weather can make people feel unwell, it can make some health conditions worse. Some people can become very poorly in the heat.

Some people may live in places that are harder to keep cool when it is hot outside.

Some people may need help to drink enough water and stay cool.

People with a learning disability , autism , or ADHD might not notice when they are getting too hot.
They might not know they are overheating until they feel unwell. This is called low interoception .

This easy read guide explains how to stay safe in hot weather.

• check the weather every day
• look out for heat warnings
• go outside in the morning or evening when it is cooler
• if you have asthma or breathing problems, check air quality forecasts.

• go outside in the morning or evening when it is cooler
• do less physical activity during the hottest part of the day.

• Try to stay in the shade.

• Take an umbrella for added shade if you go outside.

• Wear light, loose clothing. Avoid wearing warm clothes like coats, jumpers and cardigans.

• Wear a hat and sunglasses.

• use suncream with good protection SPF 30 or higher
• put it on before you go outside
• put it on again after 2-3 hours
• put it on again after swimming.

• drink water regularly
• drink even if you do not feel thirsty
• water is best, but milk and squash are also fine
• take a bottle of water with you when you go out.

• avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.

• check how hot it is inside

• close curtains and blinds during the day
• open windows at night
• stay in the coolest room

• make sure your heating is off
• turn off lights when you do not need them
• turn off electrical items when not in use

• use a hand held fan, a large fan or air conditioning if you have it
• if your home is too hot, go somewhere cooler nearby.

• check on older people, neighbours, friends, or anyone who needs help
• ask someone to check on you if you need support

• have a plan for what to do if someone becomes unwell
• make sure people know how to get help quickly if it is needed

• keep taking your medicine unless a doctor or nurse says otherwise
• store medicines safely and follow instructions to keep them cool.

• cars and other vehicles can become very hot very quickly
• never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.

• do not swim in rivers, lakes or the sea unless there is a lifeguard
• do not swim after drinking alcohol

• swim in a pool where there is a lifeguard
• use water-resistant suncream and reapply it often

• cold water is dangerous and can shock your body and make swimming difficult
• wear a life jacket when boating or fishing.

Heat exhaustion happens when your body gets too hot and cannot cool down properly.

We have an easy read guide on heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

• drink plenty of water

• keep cool

• stay out of the sun in the hottest part of the day

• protect yourself from the sun

• act quickly if someone has heat exhaustion

• call 999 if someone may have heatstroke.