Health warnings have been issued about this week’s heat wave, which is expected to bring the hottest day of the year, with prolonged temperatures higher than in the Greek islands, and intensify pressure on supplies of water.
Parents were advised to keep their children out of the sun this week, while a water company revealed that it was already looking for ways to avoid introducing water restrictions for the first time since the relentless wave. of heat of 1976.
Meanwhile, the UK Health Safety Agency issued a “heat-health” alert from Monday to Friday, especially in the south and east of England.
Temperatures are expected to reach 33 ° C on Tuesday, eclipsing this year’s record high of 32.7 ° C, recorded at Heathrow Airport last month. In comparison, temperatures on the Greek island of Santorini will reach 29ºC.
South West Water has already asked customers to try to save five gallons of water a day to maintain reservoir levels, admitting the pressure on supplies is rising. Lisa Gahan, director responsible for water resources, said there had been no restrictions in the region since 1976 and “if we are careful we can have one more year without any restrictions.”
More immediate is the threat to health with at least one children’s hospital recommending wearing sunscreen and light-colored clothing and staying in the shade. The Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust added that caregivers should make sure children stay hydrated by drinking water “little and often”. The British Red Cross also urged people to have bottled water “on hand in case of problems with the water supply”.
The health security agency has advised people in the hottest areas to shade or cover the windows, check that the refrigerators are working properly and that the medicines are being stored properly. He also advised people to drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol during this week.
Agostinho Sousa, head of the agency’s extreme events and health protection, said: “If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbors, make sure they are aware of how they can protect themselves from the hot weather.”
City leaders have also warned that casual swimmers should be aware of the risk of drowning during extreme weather. Last year 277 people drowned, 23 more than the previous year.
Temperatures are expected to remain above average throughout this week, prompting the Meteorological Office to issue a level 3 heat health alert for the south-east of England. There is a level 2 warning for the rest of England.
Today, Britain is expected to sunbathe with people from London and the south-east of England expecting highs of 29ºC and clear skies. Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said: “We should see practically the sun from wall to wall in most of England and Wales and a good part of Scotland.”