Today, first ever amber warning for the UK has just been issued for EXTREME HEAT.

The UK is currently experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures hovering around the early 30s (Centigrade).
While these temperatures may seem normal for other countries, it is extremely unusual for us in the UK and this is why we tend to react poorly to these high temperatures.

Unlike houses in tropical or Mediterranean regions, British houses are just not built for the heat. The houses here are often centuries old and are built to keep heat and warmth in. So 30 degrees here is not the same as 30 degrees in other countries.

We also do not have air conditioning or household swimming pools, both of which are quite common in hotter countries, as the norm in Britain either.

We do have local community pools, but as you can expect during a heatwave, they tend to be packed full.

A key thing to also remember is that it takes the body about 2-3 weeks to acclimatise to weather changes and this is why we Brits struggle with extremes.

In other countries, where temperatures like these are the norm or are fairly consistent, which means that the residents in those countries are naturally acclimatised to those temperatures, British weather can rapidly change from Winter to Summer within a space of 24 hours.

The human body is just not designed to acclimatise so quickly and that is why we Brits struggle.
We often see people suffer heat stroke, rapid internal dehydration, rapid drop in blood pressure & many even faint.

And children are particularly more vulnerable because they do not have strong acclimatising properties as adults do.

So here are some of my own tried and tested ways to keep your children safe during a summer heatwave and you can also use these tips for yourself too.

STAY OUT OF THE SUN

I keep the children in the shade as much as possible, particularly between 11am – 2pm, which is when the sun is at its most intense.

Personally, I am not a sun-worshipper.
When I lived briefly in Africa, people avoided the sun during these hours.
The same occurs in places like India, Asia and Arab countries. People stay out of the sun as much as possible and if they are out and about, they will carry sun parasols or umbrellas for protection.
I never understand the Western world’s eager sun worship, to be honest. And it is no wonder that it has the highest rates of cancer in the world.

DRESS LIGHT
Stick airy, light fabrics for clothing.
Use light colours, which reflect heat away from the body, and stick to fabrics like chiffon, silk and so on. You can still be modest too; more guidelines on this HERE

USE PROTECTION

Ensure children have sun hats, and sunglasses and apply sun protection cream liberally, making sure to reapply every 2 hours.
Use a sun cream with an SPF of at least 50. Don’t forget their toes and behind the ears too.

HYDRATE
Dehydration can happen very quickly during a heatwave, so have them sip some water or diluted juice every 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Part of the reason why people faint during heatwaves is due to dehydration will lead to rapid decline in blood pressure and then syncope ie fainting, so make sure they are regularly hydrated.

Also, limit the amount of salty snacks consumed because salt is a diuretic and can worsen dehydration.

COOL DOWN

When out and about, I carry portable battery-operated handheld fans and use them to cool myself and the children down.

I also always carry a mini spray bottle, filled with water, which I use to lightly mist my face and neck during the heat……and the kids’ too.

Sometimes, I will mist just above their heads, allowing the cooling droplets to drop down on their heads. It feels like a mini shower and the kids love it.

You can also have floor standing or table top fans by the bed and in the living room at home.

At home, even if you do not have a swimming pool, you can install a small paddling pool for the children to wade in, or cool them down with water sprinklers or the fine mist from a garden hose.

We have a back garden, but no swimming pool, so we have strategically-placed water sprinklers and the children really like running through the sprinklers.