☀️ Hot Enough for You? Staying Safe (and Sane) in the Great British Heatwave

Let’s face it: we Brits aren’t built for the heat. The trains stop running, the shops sell out of fans, and someone, somewhere, always tries to fry an egg on a pavement.

But while we may joke about it, heatwaves in the UK are no longer just rare inconveniences – they’re getting hotter, more frequent, and more dangerous. And the data backs it up. So, how do we prepare without becoming that person wearing SPF 50 under a parasol in Tesco?

Here’s your evidence-based (and slightly tongue-in-cheek) guide to staying safe when the temperature rises.

☀️ Is the UK Really Getting That Hot?

Yes – and no, we’re still not Dubai. But UK summers are heating up. The Met Office confirms that the 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 2003. Climate change is shifting our “normal,” and the impacts aren’t just sweaty commutes.

Each 1°C rise above average increases the risk of heat illness, hospitalisations, and even death – especially among older adults and people with long-term conditions. That’s serious stuff, even if you’re still waiting for the mythical "BBQ summer."

👵 Who’s Most at Risk?

• Over 65s

• People with chronic illnesses (heart, lung, diabetes)

• Young children

• Outdoor workers

• People who are socially isolated or living in urban heat islands (concrete-heavy city areas)

Even mild heat can be dangerous if it catches people unprepared. Many heat-related deaths occur outside of “official” heatwave alerts.

🛟 What You Can Actually Do

According to the New England Journal of Medicine and major public health reviews, there are two levels of action: individual and community-level.

✅ Personal Prep: Keep Cool and Carry On

• Hydrate like it’s your job – aim for water, not wine

• Wear loose, light-coloured clothes – the Hawaiian shirt is suddenly very functional

• Avoid exercise in peak heat – unless your idea of fun is heatstroke

• Use fans and cooling devices – yes, even a frozen bottle in front of a fan works

• Close curtains in the daytime – especially on south-facing windows

• Take cool showers or footbaths – surprisingly effective

• Watch out for others – check in on older neighbours and relatives

Health professionals (including me!) are advised to share these tips often. So here we are.

🏙️ Community-Level Protection: More Than Just Weather Apps

Local councils and governments have a role too. Evidence supports:

• Heat Action Plans – like the one in Montreal, which cut daily heat-related deaths

• Heatwave Alerts – like the UKHSA system

• Cooling Centres – air-conditioned public places for respite

• Urban Design – green spaces and reflective roofs can reduce city heat by several degrees

• Health Checks – targeted outreach like phone calls to vulnerable people works

These aren’t just good ideas – studies show they save lives.

📉 So Why Aren’t We Doing More?

Two reasons: British modesty and institutional lag.

We tend to muddle through and assume “it’ll pass” – but that approach risks underestimating just how serious heat can be. And many local plans are still based on old definitions of “extreme heat” that don’t reflect new norms.

Post-event evaluations of heatwaves suggest that updating communication strategies, public messaging, and infrastructure design is essential. Heat isn’t just a “summer problem” anymore – it’s a public health issue.

🧊 A Quick Reality Check

You don’t need to panic. But you do need to plan.

The science says we need:

• Early warning systems

• Public education

• Ongoing reassessment of strategies

• A bit less British awkwardness about turning on the fan

We might still be miles off the 45°C peaks seen elsewhere – but we’re not immune to the consequences of climate change. And as temperatures rise, so should our preparedness.

👨‍⚕️ Final Word from Me

I did say this would be tongue-in-cheek. But I’m also serious. The risks from heatwaves are real, increasing, and preventable. Let’s not get caught out just because we’re used to moaning about the rain instead.

🌡 Stay cool. Stay hydrated. And keep checking in on those who might not cope so well.