Hot weather

Public health topics Healthy environments Hot weather

There are groups of people more at risk of experiencing heat-related health problems during periods of hot weather. These groups include:

Older people, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who are obese or overweight;
People who live alone, or people who are socially isolated or reliant upon others;
Children, especially babies and young children.

There are some simple and easy steps you can take to ensure you and others are staying healthy in the heat. These include:

Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated

Don't wait until you get thirsty
If you are going out, take some water with you and always keep a bottle of water in the car
Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Stay cool

Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibres, such as cotton
Plan your day to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day
Take regular breaks in the shade when outdoors
Place a damp cloth/scarf/handkerchief on the back of your neck, and re-wet as needed
Park your car in a shady spot and never leave children or pets in a car unattended
Wear a hat, sunglasses and carry an umbrella to use as a sun shade
Splash or spray some water on arms and feet to cool off
Have cool showers or baths
Move to the coolest room in the house
Take a dip at the beach or swimming pools to cool off
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity or exercise. Try and plan activity for early morning or in the evening.

Keep your house cool

If the inside temperature is cooler than outside, keep windows closed and blinds down
Open the windows once the temperature outside is cooler mostly during the evening, night and early morning
Use a fan or air-conditioning unit where possible
Consider using pale curtains or other reflective materials on windows
Try not to use the stove or oven as often.

Take care of each other

Keep an eye out on your neighbours and check if they are ok
Older people who live alone may need to be checked on daily to ensure they are well
Remember that pets and animals can also suffer from the heat – keep them in the shade and provide them with plenty of water.

Last updated 7.11.2019

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS