A HEAT health alert has been issued across most of England for this weekend.
Officials warn essential services could be put under “significant” strain by the warm weather from Friday to Monday.
AlamySun-worshippers flock to the seaside resort of Lyme Regis, Dorset[/caption]
The yellow alert covers the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, London, Yorkshire and The Humber, the UK Health Security Agency and Met Office said.
It comes into force at 9am on June 23 – when temperatures are expected to climb to 30C – and expires at the same time on June 26.
Older and vulnerable people’s health is at greater risk and they could need to use more NHS services.
A UKHSA spokesperson said: “Yellow alerts mean that any impacts include the increased use of health care services by vulnerable populations.
“They also include an increase in risk to health for individuals over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.”
Temperatures in hospitals and care homes may exceed the recommended threshold, and others may have to stop work.
Many other indoor environments are also likely to “overheat”, the agency added.
Greg Dewhurst, from the Met Office, said: “Temperatures are still on the warm side, perhaps a degree higher, so 29C in the South East.
“It is a similar picture in the South West to the South East, with a risk of some showers over the next couple of days.
“The showers should become less frequent for England and Wales on Friday but it does turn wetter and breezier for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“Temperatures again are around 30C at the maximum in the South East.”
A total 2,803 people aged over 65 died due to the heat in England in 2022, when temperatures exceed 40C for the first time on record.
It is predicted that the number of heat-related deaths per year may triple by 2050, according to the UKHSA said.
Ways to keep safe in the hot weather
Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly
Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake