Prestonians urged to do one of these things to help others during the heatwave
An appeal has been made as temperatures soar.
A senior Preston city councillor is calling on businesses and community groups in Preston to support residents during the current heatwave.
Suleman Sarwar has appealed to organisations in the city to harness their resources to take simple, practical steps to keep people safe and more comfortable as temperatures soar – particularly the most vulnerable.
The cabinet member for climate change at Preston City Council wants the likes of business owners, places of worship and other public venues to consider making free drinking water available to locals and giving them access to cool indoor spaces, where it is appropriate to do so.
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It comes as Lancashire faces an amber alert heat warning, which the Met Office says will be in place from 1am on Wednesday (24th June) until 11pm on Thursday. According to the NHS, that means that there is an increased risk of a rise in deaths, particularly among those over 65 or with health conditions – but younger age groups may also be adversely affected.
Temperatures in Preston are currently forecast to peak at 34 degrees celsius on Thursday afternoon – and daytime highs are set to exceed 30 degrees for much of the week.
Cllr Sarwar told the Lancashire Post that while the “tight-knit community” in Preston had a history of “looking out for” those in need, people might not have thought of the little ways they can help out during periods of hot weather.
“Whether it is a business offering a water refill, a community centre providing a cool space, residents checking on vulnerable neighbours or people leaving water out for pets and wildlife, we can all play our part. A simple act of kindness could make a real difference to somebody’s day.
“It’s increasingly evident that climate change is not a distant threat – it is already affecting us now and is causing the frequency of extreme weather events to increase.
“Periods of extreme heat can have a serious impact on health and wellbeing, particularly for older people, young children, rough sleepers, those with underlying health conditions and even our pets and wildlife.
“[That is why] it’s important that we work together to protect the most vulnerable members of our community,” Cllr Sarwar said.
NHS issues warning about ‘dangerous’ heat-related condition
The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is advising residents to be on their guard against the potential effects of the hot weather – especially the most severe conditions that can be induced by heat.
Dr Peter Gregory, associate medical director for the area’s Integrated Care Board, said: “Anyone can be affected by heat exhaustion and heatstroke, however more vulnerable people are at higher risk of becoming unwell if they get too hot.
“Heat exhaustion often has symptoms such as weakness, feeling faint, headache, feeling sick or intense thirst – it does not usually need emergency medical attention, but if you don’t take action, it can lead to heatstroke.
“Heatstroke is much more serious and you may experience confusion, hot skin that isn’t sweating, increased heartbeat, faster breathing or shortness of breath, and seizures. It is a medical emergency and you should call 999 if you or someone you are with is experiencing this.
“Avoiding direct sunlight and staying indoors during the hottest part of the day will certainly reduce your risk of any ill effects.”
Top tips for staying cool
***Plan exercise during times of the day when it is cooler such as the early morning or the evening.
***Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun.
***Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake.
***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
***Try to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm when UV levels are highest
***If you are going out during this time, cover up with suitable clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen liberally and re-apply frequently.
Source: NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board