With a Level 3 heat warning already in place, the Met Office says that exceptionally high temperatures are possible which could lead to "widespread impacts on people and infrastructure". Currently, the forecast for Wolverhampton is temperatures of up to 27°c on Sunday, 31°c on Monday and 32°c on Tuesday.
It says adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not only by those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life.
Residents are asked to take action to protect themselves and their families from the possible health effects of the hot weather, while education and health and social care professionals should take specific measures to help children, young people and vulnerable people.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "While hot weather is enjoyable for most people, exposure to excessive heat can be very dangerous, especially for older people, young children and those with serious illnesses.
"We know that when weather like this hits, many of us want to head outdoors and make the most of the sunshine – but for others, high temperatures for more than a day or two can be really uncomfortable and pose a significant risk to health.
“This is because their bodies struggle to adapt to working harder, as all our bodies do when the weather gets this hot, and they can become ill.
"As we are not used to these very hot temperatures in England, it’s important that we do all we can to protect ourselves from the heatwave that we are already experiencing, and which is forecast to get even more extreme from Sunday onwards."
Top tips to stay safe include:
- keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, when UV levels are likely to be highest
- wear UV sunglasses, preferably wraparound, to reduce exposure to the eyes
- stay in the shade and apply suncream of at least sun protection factor 15 with UVA protection
- wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes, and a wide brimmed hat and light scarf to minimise the risk of sunburn
- avoid physical exertion
- drink plenty of cold drinks, avoiding excess alcohol
- look out for others, especially those more vulnerable, like the elderly
- never leave anyone, especially infants, young children or animals, in a closed, parked vehicle
- keep your home cool by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun and opening windows at cooler times of the day and overnight
- turn off non essential lights and electrical items as these generate heat
- stay safe when swimming outdoors, and only enter the water in areas with adequate supervision and rescue cover
Please remember that anyone suffering from severe heat exhaustion or heatstroke will require hospital treatment.
Full advice is available at GOV.UK. To keep an eye on the forecast for Wolverhampton, visit Met Office. For help and advice about keeping pets and other animals safe during the heatwave, please visit RSPCA .
Meanwhile, health and social care workers in the community, hospitals and care homes are advised to regularly check on vulnerable patients, share sun safety messages, make sure room temperatures are set below 26°c, patients have access to cold water and ice and that medicines are stored in a cool place. Full guidance for health and social care workers is available at Supporting vulnerable people before and during a heatwave: for health and social care professionals.
Guidance for teachers and professionals is available at Looking after children and those in early years settings during heatwaves: for teachers and professionals.
Councillor Jaspal added: "Please follow public health messages on how to stay safe by staying cool and drinking lots of cold water, and please check on those you know who may be at greater risk during this hot spell.”
