Heat health warning issued as temperatures set to reach 30C
Health officials have issued the first heat health warning of the year.
The Met Office has forecast a high of 30C on Friday, with a yellow alert spanning from 9pm on June 12 until 8am on June 15, covering the east of England, the East Midlands, London and the South East.
Warmth of this level is of no concern to the majority of the population, but officials warned that it can pose a threat to the elderly and vulnerable.
A heat health alert is issued only when a higher demand on the NHS is expected from vulnerable people, with an increased risk to health for those aged over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions.
Following a yellow alert, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises people to close windows and curtains that face the sun and to seek shade outside.
It also recommends that people wear hats and sunglasses, apply sun cream and avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm. People should only do exercise in the morning or evening and ensure that 'vulnerable friends and family [are] aware of the symptoms of heatstroke'.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, the head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: 'Even moderate heat can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.'
The health alert came as parts of south-west England, South Wales and Northern Ireland were issued with a weather warning for thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday by the Met Office.
A separate warning spanning Friday afternoon and Saturday morning is in place for south-east England and East Anglia.
Neil Armstrong, the chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'A weather system will push northwards through tomorrow, bringing heavy rain and a risk of thunderstorms to parts of south-west England, most of Wales, and later into Northern Ireland.
'40mm of rain could fall in three hours or less, leading to the potential for disruption. Further thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon across England and Wales, moving quickly northwards with hail and lightning. Temperatures will remain high, with 26 or 27C possible again in the north Midlands and parts of north London.'
Meanwhile, Sir Chris Bryant, the tourism minister, warned too much exposure to the sun could be fatal.
Speaking at a conference organised by Abta, the travel trade organisation, on Wednesday, Sir Chris said: 'One thing that is very close to my heart, because I've had stage four melanoma – which probably sprang from my years in Spain when I was a child – is about responsible use of the sun.
'We know that it kills, getting it wrong. The British obsession with laughing at people because they've gone lobster pink is daft. We need to do better about this.'
Addressing the gathering of travel trade executives, he added: 'I know you don't want to be preaching to everybody who gets on an aeroplane with you, but being able to do all this responsibly, I think, is important.'
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