The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for Monday and Tuesday (18 and 19 July).
This weekend will also see high temperatures. The following advice and tips can help protect your families and communities, during these hot periods.
You can also visit our website for heatwave information and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for ongoing updates about the council’s services.
Keep hydrated
- drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
- If travelling take water with you
Avoid physical activity
- avoid extreme physical exertion. If you can’t avoid outdoor activity, keep it for cooler parts of the day.
Keep homes cool
- try to keep your environment and living space cool.
- shade or cover windows exposed to sunlight and keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day. Take care with metal blinds and dark curtains, as these can absorb heat.
- if possible and safe, open windows at night if it feels cooler outside.
- turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment – they generate heat.
- during hottest periods find the coolest part of your home or shaded areas outside.
On car journeys
- ensure babies, children, or older people are not left alone in parked cars, which can quickly overheat
Look out for the signs of heat-related harm
- if you feel dizzy, weak or have intense thirst and a headache, move to a cool place as soon as possible. Drink some water or diluted fruit juice to rehydrate
- if you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms, or abdomen), rest immediately in a cool place and drink electrolyte drinks. Most people should start to recover within 30 mins. If not, seek medical help. Call 111 if you feel unusual symptoms, or if symptoms persist.
- call 999 if a person develops any signs of heatstroke as this is a medical emergency.
Reduce the risk of sunburn
- try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, when UV radiation is strongest.
- if you have to go out in the heat:
- apply sunscreen of at least SPF15 with UVA protection and wear a hat
- wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.
- wear UV sunglasses, preferably wraparound, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes.
- walk in the shade.
Enjoy the water safely
- during warm weather going for a swim can provide much welcomed relief. Take care and follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down. Visit the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service website for more information
Check on others
Check in on older people or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during hot weather.
Support for those sleeping rough
With temperatures predicted to rise above 27 degrees in Central Bedfordshire from Saturday 16 July until Tuesday 19 July, our severe weather protocol (SWEP) for people sleeping rough has been activated.
During extreme heat, Noah Enterprise provide rough sleepers with severe weather advice, water, sun cream, and other resources.
You can let us know someone is sleeping rough: through the StreetLink app, or on the phone 0300 300 4370 (day) / 0300 300 8098 (out of hours). If someone sleeping rough appears seriously unwell and you think they may need urgent medical assistance, call 999 straight away.