Posted on Tuesday 19th July 2022
People are being reminded to stay safe in the heat with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of 39 degrees in parts of Staffordshire today.
With the continuing red weather warning for extreme heat in place for much of England, people are being advised to take extra care if out. People should try to avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day, stay hydrated and use sun cream if in the sun. People are also being asked to check on elderly neighbours, relatives and family members to make sure they are safe.
People are also reminded of the dangers of cooling off in unsupervised open water. No matter how warm the day, large bodies of water stay very cold, with temperatures around 2C. This can cause cold water shock, which can lead to a sudden loss of consciousness.
Pet owners are urged to keep a close eye on their pets and make sure they have plenty to drink and access to shade. Farmers and livestock owners are also being reminded of the effects on animals and to ensure they have plenty of water and ventilation.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for communities and culture, Victoria Wilson said:
“We’re expecting record-breaking temperatures today across the county and it’s important that people do what they can to keep themselves safe.
“There are some simple things we can do to stay safe, such as staying out of the sun during the hottest times of the day, not cooling off in unsupervised open water and to check on older relatives and neighbours. People that need to travel should make sure they have extra water with them and allow extra time for journeys.
“Our trading standards team are also reminding livestock owners to keep their animals safe, well ventilated and with plenty of water. Temperatures are expected to dip quite significantly on Wednesday, but for now, it’s important that we all do what we can to stay safe.”
Visitors to the county council’s country parks should not smoke in high-risk areas, with grassland and heathland both extremely dry. No barbecues or fires are allowed at any time.
People can sign up for Staffordshire County Council’s weather alerts and other newsletters at: https://bit.ly/3aKcIRU