Too hot? Paint the house white, urge health chiefs
IT’S not exactly the most practical advice for older folk who need to keep cool in a heatwave.
Health chiefs have suggested they paint their houses white to stop them falling ill when temperatures soar.
Making use of ‘pale, reflective external paints’ which don’t absorb the sun’s rays is among several ‘longer-term’ measures homeowners are advised to consider.
Another suggestion that requires considerably less exertion (and basic common sense) is that householders should close their curtains when the sun is out.
And the 46-page document issued by NHS England and Public Health England warns that metal blinds and dark curtains can absorb heat. The advice states: ‘ Consider replacing or putting reflective material inbetween them and the window space.’
Should you dare to leave your home in very hot weather, the advice is to ‘keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm’ and to ‘walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf’.
It also suggests you could ‘keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck’ and recommends having ‘plenty of cold drinks’, avoiding excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and eating ‘cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content’.
The document, which aims to prevent seasonal deaths and prepare officials for heatwaves says temperatures need only to rise to 76.1F (24.5C) for people to start dying from the heat. It was published in May 2015 but healthcare professionals and the public are being reminded to take note of its advice again as this summer approaches.
It was first drawn up in response to the pan-European heatwave of August 2003 which saw more 20,000 people die of heat-related deaths, including 2,000 in the UK. The Met Office said that period of extreme heat was thought to be the warmest for up to 500 years.
Writing in the foreword of the document, Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer for England, said: ‘Although many of us enjoy the sunshine, as a result of climate change we are increasingly likely to experience extreme summer temperatures that may be harmful to health. ‘We do not know whether or not there will be severe heat over the course of this summer, but we do want to make sure that everyone takes simple precautions to stay healthy during periods of hot weather and when in the sun.’
Yesterday Dr Angie Bone, from Public Health England’s Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, said: ‘Sadly experience tells us that exposure to excessive heat can kill, with most cases of illness and death caused by heart and lung disease.
‘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.
‘Though the plan this year has not fundamentally changed, PHE has published some accompanying resources which stress the importance of looking out for those at risk in hot weather.’