Keep cool: HSE shares guidance to stay safe during high temperatures

A Status Yellow - High Temperature warning has issued for a number of counties across Ireland over the next few days. The HSE urges the public to stay safe by following public health advice during high temperatures.

Dr Ina Kelly, Consultant in Public Health Medicine for Environment and Health, HSE said, “In times of high temperatures, health issues can occur, including dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Unfortunately, we can also see increased risk of death, especially in older people, young children, and vulnerable groups. To protect yourselves and others at risk, it is recommended to keep yourself and your environment cool throughout the day. Keep air flow circulating through buildings wherever possible, keep out of the sun especially during peak temperature hours in the afternoon, and stay hydrated.”

Tips to keep cool

• Minimise indoor heat – turn off unnecessary heating and appliances, shade windows 11am - 3pm
• Keep windows closed during the day and open at night if cooler outside (ensuring security)
• Increase air flow through buildings wherever possible – electric fans can be used with caution, but may not be safe for higher temperatures
• Evaporative cooling – dampening your skin may help keep you cool.

Stay hydrated

Ensure you have enough water to drink – adults need approximately 2 litres of water over 24 hours (if exercising more may be needed). This may be less for children or those with medical conditions.

• Drink more fluids when you feel any dehydration symptoms. Talk to your pharmacist about how to use oral rehydration sachets safely
• Drink enough during the day so your urine is a pale clear colour
• Make sure that your child drinks enough fluids every day. This is especially important if your child is under 5 or is sick. Further guidance on fluid intake for babies and children is available on the HSE website.

For carers – Helping someone you care for

The person you are caring for may not have a sense of how much they're drinking. To assist them:

• ensure they drink during mealtimes
• make drinking a social thing, like "having a cup of tea"
• offer food with a high water content – for example, ice cream or jellies, or fruits like melon.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency. Anyone can get heatstroke or heat exhaustion. But keep an eye on children, older people and people with long-term health conditions like heart problems or diabetes. They're more at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

If someone has heat exhaustion:

• move them to a cool place
• remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks
• get them to drink plenty of water or a sports or rehydration drink
• cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them.  Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good too
• stay with them until they're better.

They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

When to get medical help

Contact your GP or your nearest emergency department if you or someone you care for is unwell and especially if showing signs of dehydration.