Buckinghamshire Council has warned residents to 'take precautions' after a Heat-Health alert was issued by the Met Office for the county this weekend.

The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued a Heat-Health Alert for Buckinghamshire ahead of temperatures that are expected to reach 30C this weekend.

The alert was put in place at 9am this morning (June 9) and will remain in place until 9am on Tuesday, June 13.

Buckinghamshire is currently under 'Amber alert', meaning there could be a rise in the use of healthcare services by vulnerable individuals.

The council has warned residents to take precautionary measures over the weekend to avoid impacting the county's health and social care sector. 

Bucks Free Press:

Zahir Mohammed, cabinet member for public health, said: "We obviously don't want to be kill-joys and it's lovely for most of us that the weather is warm and dry.

"However, we are expecting hot temperatures in Buckinghamshire in the next few days and I'd advise residents to take sensible precautions.

"Enjoy the sunshine, but don't underestimate the potential health impact of the heat and please look out for any elderly or vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours."

The council has also released a list of recommended actions to protect your health amid hot temperatures:

  • Stay out of direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 3pm, as UV rays are strongest during these hours.
  • Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses and light, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes.
  • Stick to swimming pools or supervised venues if you choose to go for a swim.
  • Apply sunscreen frequently with at least SPF 30 and 4- or 5-star ultraviolet A (UVA) protection regularly to exposed skin.
  • Drink plenty of water and avoid excess alcohol.
  • Never leave dogs or people in a parked vehicle during hot weather.
  • Avoid extreme physical exertion. If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity, keep it for cooler parts of the day such as early morning or evening.
  • Stay cool indoors by closing curtains on windows that face the sun. Open windows when it’s cooler outside than in (when it is safe to do so) and turn off any unnecessary electrical items.
  • Keep a close eye on older people, young children, and people with long term health conditions. Their bodies can struggle to cope with the heat and they are at greater risk.