Stay safe in the sun

With temperatures continuing to rise in the South West, Public Health England has issued advice to people out in the sun. The Met Office is warning that temperatures in the South West could hit 31 Celsius today, 19 June, tomorrow and Wednesday.

The top ways for staying safe when the heat arrives are:

• look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions

• close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors

• drink plenty of water as sugary, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks can make you more dehydrated

• never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals

• try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm

• take care and follow local safety advice, if you are going into the water to cool down

• walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, if you have to go out in the heat

• avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day

• wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes

• make sure you take water with you, if you are travelling

Find out more about how to stay safe in the hot weather on the NHS Choices website

Unusual levels of UV are also being recorded in the UK at the moment – with the strength of the UV in some spots being as high as that in Cyprus and Gibraltar. This has prompted warnings that people should take extra care in the sun at the moment and should keep an eye on UV monitors.

The Met Office has issued the outlook for the South West over the next few days - and it is a case of sunscreen at the ready.