Amber heat warnings are in place across South and East Yorkshire today, with temperatures forecast to reach the low 30s. The forecast is for very high temperatures over the coming days, and there may also be some delays to road, rail and air travel, with residents advised to check before travelling.
In Doncaster, City of Doncaster Council says the Met Office has issued an Amber Extreme Heat Warning running from 9am to 11:59pm today, alongside an Amber Heat Health Alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), valid until 9pm tomorrow, Friday 14 August. In Hull, Hull City Council says its Amber Heat Health Alert from UKHSA has been in place since 1am yesterday and ends at 11pm tonight. Temperatures in Hull are forecast to reach 32C today, easing to 28C on Friday.
Hot weather can affect anyone, increasing the risk of sunburn, dehydration, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illness. Amber alerts specifically mean an increased risk to people over 65, very young children and people with additional vulnerabilities, and typically bring increased demand on health services and heat-related strain on hospitals and care homes.
Most at risk
More broadly, those most at risk of overheating include people over 65, children — particularly under-fives — people with long-term health conditions or on particular medications, people living alone, and those who may struggle to adapt their behaviour to the conditions, including people with dementia or living with alcohol or drug dependency.
Residents are urged to take simple precautions: keep homes cool by closing curtains, windows and doors during the day, only opening them in the cooler evening; drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol; avoid the hottest part of the day, generally 11am to 3pm; wear light clothing, a hat and sunscreen if going out; and check on older relatives, friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable or living alone.
Never leave children, vulnerable adults or pets in a parked vehicle, even briefly. Homes can become dangerously warm during prolonged hot weather; specific advice on preventing overheating indoors is available via Your Life Doncaster.
Headaches and dizziness
Signs of heat exhaustion include headache, dizziness or confusion, nausea or loss of appetite, a racing pulse, cramps, excessive sweating, fatigue, a high temperature and being very thirsty. Anyone showing these signs should be cooled down, given fluids and not left alone until they feel better, with 999 the right call for anyone who seems very unwell.
Doncaster residents are also being reminded not to cool off in open water. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue says rivers, lakes and reservoirs stay cold and unpredictable even in hot weather, and advises anyone who gets into difficulty to remember to Float to Live.
More general advice is available on Doncaster Council’s Summer Health pages, and on the NHS website for heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
