Most of us are glad to see the sun, but when it stays hot for too long it can become a genuine health risk – particularly for older residents, young children, and anyone with an underlying condition.
According to Bury Council, a heatwave health alert is triggered when average temperatures hit around 30°C during the day and 15°C overnight. The key thing is duration – those temperatures need to last for at least two days and the night in between to pose a serious risk.
If you want to understand why heatwaves cause harm and who is most vulnerable, the NHS has a straightforward guide on coping in hot weather that is worth a read.
The Met Office also runs a Heat Health Watch Alert service between 1 June and 15 September each year, so that is a handy one to keep an eye on through the summer months.
Worth checking in on any neighbours who live alone or might struggle in the heat. It does not take much.
Have you got any tips for keeping cool locally? Drop them in the comments below.
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