As hot and humid conditions set look to continue through the week, the Department of Health has today issued special advice for the elderly and other people at risk from the heat.  

The advice comes as the Met Office has raised its heat wave alert level in Wiltshire to level three of a possible four. The alert level is raised when temperatures reach a certain threshold and are sustained in one or more regions over two nights and the intervening day. 

The Department of Health advises people should try to keep to the following guidelines during the period of hot weather:

• Look out for symptoms of heat exhaustion, which can include headaches, nausea, high temperatures and dizziness

• People with respiratory problems should stay inside during the hottest part of the day

• Anyone with symptoms of heat exhaustion should drink plenty of water and move somewhere cool. Those with symptoms of heatstroke should be moved somewhere cooler and sponged with water while urgent medical treatment is sought

• Keep curtains on windows exposed to the sun closed if the temperature outside is higher than it is inside.

• Once the temperature outside has dropped lower than it is inside, open the windows

• Those at risk should stay out of the sun, especially between the hours of 11am and 3pm

Maggie Rae, NHS Wiltshire’s Director of Public Health, said “People who are most at risk from heatstroke and heat exhaustion include the very young and the very old, and people with heart and respiratory problems. People who are dependent on others for care, such as people in care homes, are particularly vulnerable and may not be able to communicate their distress to others. We recommend people think of others who may be suffering the effects of heat but can’t take actions for themselves – please be vigilant”.

Further information on how to recognise symptoms of heatstroke or heat exhaustion, together with medical advice, can be found on the NHS website