It’s great to see some sunshine but residents in West Berkshire are being asked to take care of themselves and look out for vulnerable people as the temperatures rise this week.

According to the Met office, this heatwave could pose significant health risks.

Graham Jones, West Berkshire’s Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing said: “Problems linked with hot weather, such as dehydration and heat exhaustion, can affect anyone, although certain people are at a particularly high risk.  These include children, those with long term health conditions and our older residents, especially those living alone.”

He added: “Taking a few minutes to check up on an older person or someone who is ill, can be really important in hot weather.   It only takes a moment and can sometimes help avoid a serious illness.”

Helpful advice for keeping safe in the heat includes:

• look out for others especially vulnerable groups such as older people, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses
• never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
• try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm when the sun is at its strongest
• apply sunscreen of at least SPF15 with UVA protection
• wear UV sunglasses, preferably wraparound, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes
• wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes, a hat and light scarf
• drink lots of cool drinks and avoid alcohol

For further advice and information visit the NHS Choices website: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/Heatwaveamberalert