Warnings about exceptionally hot weather across large parts of England have been issued by the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency for Sunday 17 July, Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July.
Advice is available from both agencies on dealing with unusually hot conditions. The Met Office's 'Amber' warning is its second most serious level of weather warning . The Met Office may change their warning over coming days and it is worth monitoring their forecasts.
National advice:
- The government has advice on keeping cool at home and also staying safe in hot weather
- The NHS has good information on the common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
- The UKHSA's COVID-19 and summer temperatures blog post also provides advice on how to stay well in hot weather.
Advice from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue:
- Extinguish cigarettes properly, don’t throw the end on the ground and never throw cigarette ends out of car window
- Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodland/grassland; sunlight shining through glass can start fires. Take them home and or put them in a waste or recycling bin
- Avoid using open fires in the countryside
- Only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area - never leave them unattended - dispose of the ash carefully when it is cold
- If you see a fire in the countryside, don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water - leave the area as quickly as possible and report it to the Fire and Rescue Service immediately.
Meanwhile earlier this year firefighters undertook a campaign to give people good water safety advice ahead of the summer . This advice certainly applies during the current exceptionally hot weather.
How to keep dogs cool in the summer heat:
- Make sure your dog has access to clean water at all times, ideally a large bowl filled to the brim. Carry water and a bowl with you on walks.
- On hot days, walk your dog during the cooler parts of the day, in the early morning and late evening
- Watch your pet for signs of over-heating, including heavy panting and loss of energy. If you recognise these signs when on a walk, stop, find a shady spot and give your dog water.
- Never leave your dog (or any pet) alone in a car, even with the windows open
- Make cooling tasty treats by making ice cubes with your dog’s favourite food inside or stuff a Kong and pop it in the freezer
- Be particularly careful with short nosed dogs such as bull breeds, boxers, pugs, older dogs, and those that are overweight. These dogs can get heatstroke simply by running around.
