Refuse and recycling collections have been shifted to earlier in the morning to avoid the staff working during the hottest part of the day. The same will apply to some other front line services. Schools in Lambeth have assessed their sites, with some opting to close early on Monday and Tuesday to reduce pupil’s exposure to the heat.
Beat the Heat checklist guidance on how to keep cool at home has been issued by the government. Some of the main risks posed by a heatwave are dehydration; overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing; and heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
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. You can prevent heat exhaustion or heatstroke by taking the following steps:
- Drink plenty of cold drinks, especially when exercising
- Take cool baths or showers
- Wear light-coloured, loose clothing
- Sprinkle water over skin or clothes
- Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
- Avoid excess alcohol
- Avoid extreme exercise
If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion they need to be cooled down. The NHS advises on things you can do to cool someone down, including further actions to take if they do not feel better after 30 minutes.
Cllr Jim Dickson, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member Healthier Communities, said: “The temperatures forecast for the start of this week are high enough to affect us all. Please make sure you stay hydrated, avoid going outside if possible during the hottest part of the day, and most importantly look after children and older people who are the most vulnerable during a heatwave.”
The council’s homelessness outreach teams are helping rough sleepers manage in the heat and warning have been issued to about the risk of wildfires caused by discarded cigarette butts and unattended barbecues.
The council has also issued advice that there should be no barbecues in parks, open spaces and on housing estates, whether indoors or on balconies, to reduce the fire risk.
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