Be mindful of your health and water consumption this summer as the heat continues in North East Derbyshire.
#HeatHealthTips
With the help of Derbyshire County Council we've got a number of #HeatHealthTips for you in order to protect yourself in this heat!
Did you know?
- Severe heat can be dangerous and even prove fatal in some cases
- Some people are more vulnerable to hot weather than others.
- Some of the factors that increase people’s risk include but are not limited to, age, chronic or severe illness, some medications and those who are unable to adapt their behaviour to keep cool.
Between 7th July and 15th of September, the Met Office has heatwave alerts which comprises of levels 0 to 4. Please consider signing up for alerts at Heat Health - Met Office
Stay cool
Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest times of the day from 10am to 4pm.
Stay hydrated
Provide and encourage frequent drinks to stay hydrated, make sure they are easy to access all day.
Staying safe outside
- Dress in loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing that covers as much of the body as possible.
- Hats should be worn that shade the face, neck, and ears.
- Apply sunscreen before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours.
- Stay in the shade as much as possible.
Staying safe indoors
- Monitor and record indoor temperatures Ensure thermostats are working in their house/your organisation so you can monitor temperatures.
- Keep curtains closed especially in rooms when the sunlight comes through.
- Be aware plastic pads and mattresses can be particularly hot during a heatwave.
- Create cool rooms/cool areas 26°C or below.
- Once the temperature outside has dropped lower than the temperature inside, open the windows - this may not be until very late at night or the early hours of the morning.
- Turn off unnecessary electrical equipment and lighting.
- Fans - it is important that fans are cleaned. So should be added to their usual cleaning schedule.
- Discuss cooler food options with high water content such as fruit and salads with your loved one or at-risk person.
Reduce Water consumption
With the help of Severn Trent Water we've got a number of helpful ways to help reduce your water consumption as the dry weather is set to continue:
- Turn the tap off when brushing teeth to save water.
- Turn the tap off when shaving to save water.
- Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge to make sure you always have a cold one.
- Water your garden/ grounds during the cooler parts of the day to avoid evaporation.
- Check for leaks in taps and toilets to avoid wasting water.
- Save up dirty clothes and carry out a full load of washing to make sure we are utilising each wash.
- Fill up your dishwasher to maximise your water usage.
- Shower for shorter times to avoid wasting energy and water.
- Catch your rainwater to water your garden/ grounds and keep your plants blooming all year round.
- Turn off the tap when washing up to avoid washing your money down the drain.
- Use a bucket and sponge when washing the car/ vehicle rather than a hose.
- Give your lawn a rest and wait for the next rainfall – it will bounce back in no time.
- Reuse your paddling pool water and use it to water your plants.
- Reduce the washing up and reuse the same mug when you are next making a brew.
You can make the difference this summer!