HSE advises people to take care during upcoming spell of hot weather at home and abroad

Keep cool and stay hydrated

The HSE is reminding everyone to take simple steps to protect their health as Ireland is expected to experience a prolonged spell of very warm or hot weather over the coming days.

Met Éireann has advised that daytime temperatures will widely exceed 25°C, with values climbing to the high 20s or low 30s in places from Friday. High to very high UV levels, warm and humid nights, and the possibility of thunderstorms are also forecast.

While many people enjoy warm weather, hot conditions can increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and sunburn. Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of heat, including older people, infants and young children, pregnant women, people with long-term medical conditions, people with disabilities, and those who work or exercise outdoors.

Dr Caitriona Kelly, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE National Health Protection Office, said: “High temperatures can cause people to become very sick. We are urging people to keep cool and stay hydrated during the hot weather. This is especially important for older people, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions.”

Protect yourself during hot weather

The HSE recommends that everyone:

• Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid excessive alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration.
• Stay out of direct sun during the hottest part of the day, particularly between 11am and 3pm where possible.
• Keep your home cool by closing curtains or blinds in sunny rooms during the day and opening windows when it is cooler in the evening.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Check in on older relatives, neighbours and anyone who may be vulnerable during hot weather.
• Never leave babies, children or pets alone in a parked vehicle, even for a short time.
• Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion, including dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive sweating, muscle cramps and weakness.

If you have a medical condition or take regular medication, and you are unsure whether hot weather may affect you, contact your GP, pharmacist or healthcare professional for advice.

Stay SunSmart

Even on days that do not feel exceptionally hot, ultraviolet radiation can damage the skin. The HSE encourages everyone to follow the SunSmart message:

• Slip on clothing that covers your skin.
• Slop on broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30+ for adults and SPF 50+ for children, applying it generously and reapplying every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat.
• Seek shade, particularly between 11am and 3pm.
• Slide on sunglasses that provide UV protection.

Take extra care with babies and young children, whose skin burns much more easily than adults. Babies should be kept out of direct sunlight.

For more information, visit: www.hse.ie/sunsmart

Look out for others

Check in on relatives, neighbours and friends who may be more vulnerable to heat-related illness, particularly those who live alone.

Extra care may be needed for:

• Older people
• Infants and young children
• Pregnant women
• People with heart, lung, kidney or other chronic illnesses
• People with dementia
• People with disabilities
• People experiencing homelessness
• Outdoor workers and those involved in strenuous physical activity

Dr Caitriona Kelly said: “If you are caring for someone, they may not have a sense of how much they are drinking. Encourage them to drink regularly during the day, including at mealtimes. You can also offer foods with a high water content, such as melon, ice lollies or jelly.”

Warm nights and sleeping conditions

Warm and humid nights can make it harder for people to sleep and may increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness, particularly for vulnerable people.

Try to keep sleeping areas as cool as possible by keeping windows, curtains and blinds closed during the day (particularly if facing the sun), opening windows when it is cooler in the late evening and night and if safe to do so, using lighter bedding and nightwear, and keeping water beside the bed. Cooling can also be helped by using damp cloths on the skin and using an electric fan where appropriate.

Travelling to hotter countries

Many people will also be travelling to destinations in Europe over the coming weeks where temperatures may be significantly higher than those experienced in Ireland, with some areas exceeding 40°C.

If travelling:

• Check local weather forecasts and official heat, wildfire or air quality warnings before and during your trip.
• Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or evening where possible.
• Carry water with you and drink regularly.
• Use air-conditioned or shaded areas to cool down during the hottest part of the day.
• Wear sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid excessive alcohol, particularly during the hottest part of the day.
• Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles.
• If you have a medical condition or take regular medication, speak to your GP, pharmacist or healthcare professional before travelling if you are unsure whether extreme heat may affect you.

Know the signs of heat-related illness

Early signs of heat exhaustion may include:

• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Fatigue or weakness

If someone has symptoms of heat exhaustion, move them to a cooler place, encourage them to drink fluids, loosen clothing, and cool them with water, fans or cool cloths. Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if the person cools down within 30 minutes, but if it develops into heatstroke it should be treated as an emergency.

Seek urgent medical attention if someone develops signs of heatstroke, including:

• Confusion or altered behaviour
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Very high body temperature
• Hot, dry skin or no longer sweating

Anyone concerned about their health should contact their GP, pharmacist or seek medical advice. In an emergency, call 999 or 112.

For more information on staying safe during hot weather, visit:
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/environmentandhealth/heat/