“Most people know not to leave pets in cars on a warm or hot day, but not everyone is aware that conservatories or caravans can be just as bad with temperatures rising dangerously high, quicker than you might think”.
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Graham Bickler of Public Health England said: “There is considerable evidence that heatwaves are unsafe and can kill”.
“If you do want to go for a dip during the hot weather, I would urge people to use their local swimming pool, where a lifeguard is on duty, and not risk their lives in unknown and unsupervised water”.
“In this continued hot weather, it’s important to remember that high temperatures can be unsafe, especially for people who may be vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses”.
But it is not all bad news for commuters, with PHE recommending flexibility from employers.
“And while most people think about dogs and cats, we must also help our pet rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets keep safe in the summer heat”.
Mr Gaze said the heatwave is a result of a Spanish plume – a warm air front spreading north from the Iberian Peninsula.
A Met Office spokesman added temperatures should drop again on Thursday when severe thunderstorms are likely to hit central and western parts of the country, before climbing again ahead of the weekend.
Coastal areas will be cooler.
He said: “A prolonged heatwave poses a real danger to those patients with emphysema, asthma and long-term breathing problems”.
The UK’s Met Office said there was an “80 per cent probability” of heatwave conditions this week in parts of England.
People have been advised to stay out of the heat as temperatures across the East of England are predicted to top 30 deg C.
The sun is close to its highest point in the sky at this time of year, meaning that UV levels in the coming days will be high, bordering very high.
“Because we are not used to these very hot temperatures in England, it’s important that local plans are in place to reduce the impact of harm from very hot weather”. “Overnight temperatures in many areas might be 16C-19C (60F-66F), so the cumulative effect from day and night will actually be really hot”. This system operates throughout the year and is used to see what diseases are circulating and what environmental events, including heatwaves, may be affecting the general population.
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Level 2 warns people to be ready, with the levels above warning of heatwave action and a national emergency.
