Health and wellbeing
Stay well this week as Level 3 heatwave alert is issued for the West Midlands
Published on
Advice has been issued to residents as warmer weather is expected.
Walsall residents are being encouraged to stay well and take precautions, with hot weather predicted this week.
The Met Office, in conjunction with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has issued a Level 3 – Heatwave alert for the West Midlands. Temperatures will build day on day between Tuesday 9 August and Sunday 14 August.
“ With much warmer weather predicted this week, it is important that we look after each other as well as ourselves. Keep an eye on older people, those with underlying health conditions and younger children who may need help to keep cool. Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cool. If you are able, ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support.
Protect yourself from the sun during the hottest hours of the day, usually between 11:00am and 3:00pm. If you plan to go outside in the heat, keep cool, apply sun cream, wear a hat and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Cars can get hot, so never leave infants, young children or animals inside a parked vehicle.
If you or others feel unwell, get dizzy, weak or have intense thirst move to a cool place, rehydrate and cool your body down. Call NHS 111 if you need advice. In an emergency dial 999.
During this period, keeping up to date with the weather forecast and taking these simple steps can make a difference to enjoy the weather safely. “
ENDS
Notes to editor:
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The Level 3 - Heatwave alert is triggered as soon as the Met Office confirms that threshold temperatures have been reached in any one region or more. For the West Midlands, the threshold temperatures are 30 degrees Celsius in the day and 15 degrees Celsius at night.
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Full details about the Heat Health alert can be found on the Met Office website.
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You can register to receive Weather Alerts directly. To receive warnings from the National Severe Weather Warnings Service by email or SMS you can register your preferences through the new simple sign up process at: nswws-delivery.metoffice.gov.uk
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The NHS has advice on how to cope during a heatwave on their website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/
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The UK Health Security Agency have blogged about staying safe in extreme heat: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/07/14/staying-safe-in-extreme-heat/
