Sutton Council is calling on residents to check on their vulnerable and elderly neighbours after a Level 2 heat warning was given today.

The warning is triggered as soon as the Met Office confirms there is a 60 per cent chance of heat wave conditions, when temperatures are high enough to have a significant effect on health on at least two consecutive days.

The Council has published details on its website with advice on how people can keep safe in the sun by carrying out the following simple precautions:

• Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm if you a vulnerable or elderly residents
• Wear UV sunglasses, preferably wraparound, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen of at least SPF15 with UVA protection, wear a hat and light scarf. Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes. This should minimise the risk of sunburn.
• Drink lots of cool drinks
• Look out for others especially vulnerable groups such as the older people, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
• Remember that it can get uncomfortably hot indoors too, including at night. Try to keep your bedroom and living space cool, by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun and opening your windows at cooler times of the day and overnight where safe. Turn off non-essential lights and electrical items as these generate heat.

Top tips for Ramadan fasting:

• If you start to feel unwell, disoriented or confused, or collapse or faint, advice is to stop fasting and have a drink of water or other fluid. This is especially important for older adults, those with poorly controlled medical conditions such as low/high blood pressure, diabetes and those who are receiving dialysis treatment
• The Muslim Council of Britain has confirmed that breaking fast in such conditions is allowable under Islamic law. Also make sure to check on others in the community who may be at greater risk and keep an eye on children to ensure they are having a safe and healthy Ramadan

Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council and Chair of Health and Wellbeing said:

“It’s great to see the sun shining, but all of us need to make sure we’re taking steps to prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries.

“The simple ones are wearing high-protection sun cream, staying out of the sun during peak hours and drinking plenty of water. People also need to look out for their family, friends and neighbours during the warm weather and make sure they are keeping cool and have everything they need.

“Many people are enjoying the heat wave but these conditions can put the health of our elderly and vulnerable residents in jeopardy.

“We will use our networks of support to make sure that our front line staff are helping vulnerable people to keep cool and watching out for any signs of danger. This could save lives and, at the very least, make sure our residents are comfortable in the heat.”

Sun safety tips are available from the Sutton Council website via: https://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=19413

For more information about the Heat-Health Watch system from the Met Office, visit www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/heathealth/