Town placed on heatwave alert (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Town placed on heatwave alert

MEDICAL bosses in the Swindon area are on full alert in case of a deluge of sunstroke victims.

This comes after the Met Office announced that there is a strong chance of a heatwave this weekend with temperatures forecast to soar to 28C (82F) in Swindon.

Jane Leaman, director of public health for Swindon Primary Care Trust, said: "We are asking residents to use their common sense during the heatwave.

"This will allow people to enjoy the weather whilst protecting themselves from the dangerous and potentially fatal effects of high temperatures.

"Many people take the most obvious precautions, such as staying out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, applying sunscreen, wearing a hat.

"However many forget advice such as keeping curtains shut to keep heat out, opening windows, drinking plenty of water and dressing in light clothes," she added.

Although heatwaves are rare, climate change means they're likely to become more common in England.

The experience across north west Europe in 2003, when 27,000 people died as a direct cause of a heatwave, is a reminder of how serious they can be.

Health and social services in Wiltshire, Gloucester-shire and Avon have put what's known as The Heatwave Plan into action.

Mark Gibbs from the Met Office's Health Team said: "Extreme heat is dangerous to everyone and can be fatal. During a heatwave, when temperatures remain unusually high for more than a couple of days, especially with high night time temperatures, people can die.

"The elderly and the very young are most at risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. In London during the August 2003 heatwave, deaths among people aged over 75 rose by 60 per cent."

A Heat-Health Watch will be operating until September 15. The Health Protection Agency is monitoring numbers of calls made to NHS Direct helpline and visits to GPs to see how the weather is affecting people's health.

A heatwave will be declared as soon as the Met Office confirms that threshold temperatures have been reached. In this region that's 30C (86F) in the day and 15C (59F) degrees at night.

Local primary care trusts and social services will advise the public and health and social care professionals on how to cope.

Additional help and support will also be provided for those people identified as being "at risk" such as extra home visits.

Jan Bardwell, group leader for environmental heath for Swindon Council, wanted to stress other problems the heatwave could cause.

She said: "It is very important to remember food safety during hot weather, because bacteria thrive with warmth.

"Don't forget to make sure food from barbecues is thoroughly cooked, especially inside.

"It is always a good idea to oven cook first then finish it off on the barbecue for that added taste."

Jamie Hill