18 July 2016
Islanders are being reminded by the Public Health department about the potential health risks associated with hot weather.
While many Islanders welcome the hot summer weather which arrived over the weekend and is forecast to continue for the first half of this week, it’s also an appropriate time to remind everyone about sensible precautions that should be taken to minimise any risk to health.
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Susan Turnbull says “Temperatures are already quite hot in Jersey and are forecast to become even hotter in the next few days. Taking precautions is particularly important to those most at risk from the effects of exposure to heat. This includes older people, especially those over 75, babies and young children and people with a chronic medical condition, especially heart or respiratory problems.”
There are several sensible and quite simple steps that everyone can take to help in keeping cool and coping in hot weather:
- shut windows, pull down the shades or keep the curtains closed to keep your rooms as cool as possible. If it’s safe, open them for ventilation when it is cooler
- avoid overheating : stay out of the sun and don’t go out between 11am and 3pm (the hottest part of the day) if you’re vulnerable to the effects of heat
- have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water
- drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol
- identify the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to keep cool
- wear loose, cool clothing
- check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves
- take steps to ensure protection from the sun through the use of sunscreen and hats – such measures are especially important for babies and young children
- be aware that extreme levels of heat can develop in cars and other confined spaces, and avoid leaving children in cars, even for very short periods. This advice also applies to pets
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