Red heat health alerts have been issued in areas of the UK that are set to reach up to 40C over the next few days. It’s incredibly important for you to take extra care to stay safe and cool, especially if you or someone in your family has an underlying health condition, is pregnant or is a young child.

Below are some of our top tips to help you and your family during this extreme heat:

• Close your curtains, blinds and windows during the hottest part of the day. During these temperatures, the outside air is usually hotter than the air inside your home, opening them can drive your indoor temperature up. Instead, open your windows at night or in the early morning when outdoor temperatures are much cooler.
• Turn off unnecessary lights and electrical equipment in your home. These generate heat and can make you feel hotter.
• You may find that one side of your home, or one particular room, feels much cooler than the rest of the house. Try to spend as much time as possible in there.
• Recognise the symptoms of heat-related illnesses like heatstroke. These include: dizziness, headache, weakness, excessive thirst, confusion, or a high temperature. Seek medical help if symptoms worse or do not improve by calling NHS 111 for advice or 999 in an emergency.

For more guidance on staying safe in hot weather, visit GOV.UK