'Heat kills' warning as temperatures head for record
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:19 am
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... w_18072006
'Heat kills' warning as temperatures head for record
By Stephanie Condron
(Filed: 18/07/2006)
The elderly and young are being told to stay indoors today and drink lots of water amid warnings that the heatwave is about to get hotter.
With much of the country warmer than the Canaries, the Met Office has issued a heatwave alert prompting hospitals and GP surgeries to brace themselves for casualties.
The Level Three warning was the second such alert this month and the Met Office predicts the record for Britain's hottest day ever could be broken tomorrow when temperatures may top 100F.
Older people and those with babies or breathing difficulties are being warned: "heat kills". The Government is urging people to keep an eye on elderly neighbours.
"Vulnerable patients living in care homes may need to be moved to a cooler part of the building and GPs may have to ensure that extra support is available to those vulnerable people living in the community, the Department of Health said.
"If you have older relatives or neighbours you can help by checking on them every day."
The early signs of heat exhaustion include rapid heart beat, dizziness, low blood pressure and confusion.
The hottest day recorded for July was on July 22, 1911 in Epsom, Surrey when it was 97F (36C) and the warmest day ever was on Aug 10, 2003, when it reached 101F (38.5C) in Brogdale, Kent.
Barry Gromett, a Met Office spokesman, said: "On Wednesday we are likely to see 36 or 37C (97 to 99F) in central or southern England."
© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2006.
'Heat kills' warning as temperatures head for record
By Stephanie Condron
(Filed: 18/07/2006)
The elderly and young are being told to stay indoors today and drink lots of water amid warnings that the heatwave is about to get hotter.
With much of the country warmer than the Canaries, the Met Office has issued a heatwave alert prompting hospitals and GP surgeries to brace themselves for casualties.
The Level Three warning was the second such alert this month and the Met Office predicts the record for Britain's hottest day ever could be broken tomorrow when temperatures may top 100F.
Older people and those with babies or breathing difficulties are being warned: "heat kills". The Government is urging people to keep an eye on elderly neighbours.
"Vulnerable patients living in care homes may need to be moved to a cooler part of the building and GPs may have to ensure that extra support is available to those vulnerable people living in the community, the Department of Health said.
"If you have older relatives or neighbours you can help by checking on them every day."
The early signs of heat exhaustion include rapid heart beat, dizziness, low blood pressure and confusion.
The hottest day recorded for July was on July 22, 1911 in Epsom, Surrey when it was 97F (36C) and the warmest day ever was on Aug 10, 2003, when it reached 101F (38.5C) in Brogdale, Kent.
Barry Gromett, a Met Office spokesman, said: "On Wednesday we are likely to see 36 or 37C (97 to 99F) in central or southern England."
© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2006.