Preparing for Hot Weather

Caring for a Loved One during Amber and Red Heat Warnings

Published: 27/06/2025

Preparing for Hot Weather during Amber and Red Heat Warnings.

Hot weather can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. This can raise the chance of heart attack, stroke, lung problems, and other sicknesses.

You can lower hot weather risks for those you care for by:

• having a plan to keep them and the home cool

• knowing who faces a higher chance of heat sickness and how to lower that chance

• thinking about changes to the surroundings that could lower heat exposure

• making sure those you care for drink enough fluids all day and watch for signs of dehydration

• planning activities for cooler times of day, such as morning or evening

• keeping those you care for out of the sun during the hottest time of day, between 11 am and 3 pm

Who is at risk

Older individuals and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of hot weather.

Certain things raise a person’s risk during hot weather. These include:

• Age: older people, especially those over 65 years old (note change from previous guidance of 75 years of age and above), as well as babies and young children

• Those living on their own, those who are socially cut off, those who cannot care for themselves, and those living in a care home

• Health problems that lower the body’s ability to adjust to heat. This includes heart, kidney, and breathing problems, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, obesity, or severe mental illness.

• Medicines that affect heart or kidney function, thinking, or sweating ability

• Any limits to changing behaviour to stay cool? For example, thinking problems like dementia, limited movement, or using alcohol or street drugs.

• Surrounding factors such as living on a top-floor flat, being homeless, or doing physical activity outside or in hot places

• Air pollution, as this can worsen during hot weather and cause problems for people with asthma and other breathing issues

How to recognise heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body becomes too hot and is unable to cool down. Usually, heat exhaustion does not need emergency medical help if the person cools down within 30 minutes.

Common signs of heat exhaustion include:

• tiredness

• weakness

• feeling faint

• headache

• muscle cramps

• feeling or being sick

• heavy sweating

• intense thirst

If no action is taken to help the person cool down, heat exhaustion can become heatstroke.

Heatstroke happens when the body can no longer cool down, and body temperature becomes dangerously high.

Common signs of heatstroke include:

• confusion

• lack of coordination

• low blood pressure

• fast heartbeat

• fast breathing or shortness of breath.

Additionally, the skin may stop sweating, and individuals may experience seizures or collapse.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you are worried or think someone has heatstroke, dial 999.

What to do if someone has symptoms of heat exhaustion

How to cool someone down if they have heat exhaustion signs:

1. Move them to a cooler location, such as a room with air conditioning or a shaded area.

2. Remove all unnecessary clothing, such as a jacket or socks.

3. Help them drink a sports or rehydration drink or cool water.

4. Apply cool water to exposed skin using a spray or sponge. Cold packs wrapped in cloth and placed under armpits or on the neck can also help.

They should start to feel better within 30 minutes.

If you are worried about symptoms or if they worsen, get medical advice by calling NHS 111. In an emergency, or if you think someone has heatstroke, dial 999.

For more information on the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, visit the NHS website.

How to lower hot weather risks.

During the summer, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office will issue Heat-Health Alerts in conjunction with the weather forecast if high temperatures pose a threat to people’s health. Many of the adverse effects of heat can be mitigated with a few simple steps.

In addition to the advice below, reviewing the Heat-Health Alert action card for providers will help you take steps to protect those in your care. Heat effects can occur quickly, so good preparation is necessary throughout the year.

Prepare for hot weather.

To prepare for hot weather, you can:

• Ensure that all social care staff are aware of this guidance and your local plans.

• Listen to the news and check your local weather forecast to know when hot weather is coming.

• Look for advice on what to do if services such as power, water, and transportation may be affected.

• Check air pollution forecasts and advice.

• When hot weather is coming, plan activities to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day, between 11 am and 3 pm.

• Be sure you understand how to keep your home, yourself, and those you care for cool and hydrated during hot weather (see guidance below).

• Ensure relevant staff are aware of how to check, record, and follow internal procedures if a concern arises.

• Consider whether additional staff or support will be required during hot weather.

• Learn about local and national support to improve homes and help people you care for get that support.

Additionally, certain medications can increase a person's risk during hot weather. If you are concerned, consult a qualified healthcare professional to determine if medication adjustments are necessary during extreme heat.

Keep the home environment cool.

Homes can get too hot and uncomfortable in warmer weather, especially when people try to sleep.

During the hottest times, ensure that indoor temperatures are checked and recorded frequently.

Care homes should have a cool room or area that maintains a temperature below 26°C, where residents can go to cool down. Groups at high risk from heat can struggle to cool themselves once temperatures go above 26°C. Cool areas can be created using effective indoor and outdoor shade, airflow, indoor and outdoor plants, and, if necessary, air conditioning.

If you care for someone in their own home, use a thermometer to measure the temperature and know when a room is too hot (above 26°C). Check local plans and steps to know what to do if a concern comes up. Take steps to cool down people who cannot be moved to cooler areas or for whom a move might be too confusing.

Close any outside shutters, shades, blinds, and curtains on windows with direct sunlight during the day. It is best to close these early in the morning to stop heat from building up. Curtains should have a light, reflective lining. When possible, avoid using metal Venetian blinds and curtains with dark linings, as they absorb heat.

Open windows (if safe) when the outside air feels cooler than the inside air, such as at night. Try to create air movement through the home.

Ensure all heating is turned off and turn off lights and electrical devices not in use to lower indoor temperatures.

Consider adjusting visiting hours to mornings and evenings to alleviate the afternoon heat caused by larger groups.

Spraying water on the ground outside helps cool the air. Do not create slip dangers, and check local drought water rules before using hoses.

Add outside shade with shutters, shaded areas, trees, or leafy plants; reflective paint can also help keep the building cool. Grow more outside greenery as it helps cool by working as a natural air conditioner.

Keep the people you care for cool.

You can take steps to prevent people from getting too hot when the weather is hot.

Watch those you care for closely for any early signs of heat sickness and start proper treatment when needed. Also, monitor body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and hydration levels (consider regular body weight checks to assess water loss).

Tell people to stay in the coolest parts of the home as much as possible. If it’s cooler outside in the shade, consider going outside or relocating people to a cooler part of the house, especially for sleeping, if practical.

For those who cannot be moved or for whom a move might be too overwhelming, please take steps to cool them down (for example, liquids, cool wipes) and watch for signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion.

Ensure that those you care for wear light, loose, and light-coloured clothing. When going outside, consider wearing clothes such as a long-sleeved shirt, trousers, or long skirts made from tightly woven fabrics to absorb sweat, prevent skin irritation, and protect the skin from the sun.

Be aware that plastic pads and mattresses can make someone feel warmer during hot weather; consider alternative choices if possible.

Use electric fans if the air temperature is below 35°C. But do not point the fan directly at people’s bodies, as this can cause dehydration. Watch closely for any signs of dehydration, especially in individuals who are less physically active.

Ensure you have sufficient fans and water sprays. Regularly sprinkle or spray cool water on exposed areas of your body. A damp cloth on the back of the neck helps control temperature. If possible, arrange cool showers or baths.

Prevent dehydration.

Ensure that the people you care for drink enough fluids throughout the day and are assisted with drinking overnight. They should drink enough so their urine is a pale straw colour.

Ensure that water and ice are readily available and that those you care for drink enough fluids, especially if they are unable to drink on their own.

Water and diluted squash or lower-fat milk are good choices. Limit fruit juice, smoothies, and soft drinks, as they can contain a high amount of sugar and contribute to dehydration. Instead, switch to a diet and sugar-free options or opt for squash.

Lollies and water-rich foods may be choices for people who do not drink much fluid.

Alcohol causes dehydration, so it is a good idea to choose alcohol-free options or drink a glass of water between alcoholic drinks.

If those you care for are going out, take a refillable water bottle.

Plan to change to cold meals (preferably with plenty of water, such as fruit and salads) for those you care for.

If those you care about are fasting during a heatwave, ensure you understand what is expected and advise them to seek medical and spiritual guidance before fasting.

For more information on dehydration signs and symptoms, visit the NHS website.

Protect those you care for from the sun

The sun is often strong enough in the UK to cause sunburn. Support staff and those you are caring for by taking these actions to protect them from the sun:

1. Stay in the shade between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun is strongest.

2. If going outside, wear light, loose, and light-coloured clothes, such as a long-sleeved shirt, trousers, or long skirts made from tightly woven fabrics.

3. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect the face, eyes, head, ears, and neck.

4. Wear sunglasses that wrap around or have wide arms to protect from the sun.

5. Apply sunscreen generously and frequently, especially after activities that can remove it, such as swimming or towelling. The NHS recommends using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and 4- or 5-star UVA protection.

For more information on sunscreen and sun safety, including how to apply sunscreen, visit the NHS website.

Avoid strenuous exercise and activities.

Consider the activities that those you care for engage in and avoid them during the hottest part of the day, between 11 am and 3 pm, if possible. If they want or need to engage in physical activities, such as exercise or gardening, plan to do these during the cooler morning or evening hours.

Avoid hot, closed spaces.

Small, closed spaces, such as parked cars, can become dangerously hot very quickly. Ensure that those you care for are not left alone in parked cars or other enclosed spaces.

Storage of medications.

Most medicines should be stored at a temperature below 25°C, so they should be kept in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight, and away from windowsills. Medicines should only be stored in the fridge if stated. The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service has more guidance.