Helping you prepare for hot weather as warmer temperatures are forecast

With temperatures forecast to reach over 25°C in the coming days (W/C 28 April), Warwickshire Resilience Forum is sharing advice on how to prepare for hot weather, keep cool and stay safe.

Getting ready to head outside

Make sure you are stocked up on suncream (ideally SPF 30 or above), a sun hat and a water bottle before heading outside. Remember to check the UV index and pollen count for the day, and take any hayfever medicine you may need. Keep an eye on the forecast for the coming days too, to be aware of any storms which might follow the hot weather.

Close the curtains in rooms facing the sun, and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.

Getting around

If you need to use your car in the hot weather, ensure your coolant levels are where they should be, and your cooling fans are working correctly. Cooling-related faults cause more breakdowns in warmer weather. Read the Met Office’s Vehicle Check Guide for more tips.

Once you’ve got to where you’re going, never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.

Staying safe in the water

If you go into open water to cool down, take care and follow local safety advice. Do not swim in quarries, as there may be hidden dangers under the water surface you can’t see.

If you’re planning to enjoy a barbeque, keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby. Sparks from a barbecue can fall or be blown onto dry grass, wooden sheds or fences and may cause a fire.

Ben Brook, WRF Co-Chair and Chief Fire Officer at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“While warmer weather on the forecast is a welcome sight, we want to make sure everyone enjoys the hotter temperatures safely.

“Make sure you bring bottled water out with you wherever you’re going, and try to stay out of the sun between 11am-3pm.

“Take extreme care if you’re planning a barbecue or entering open water to cool down, and look out for any neighbours or anyone you know who might be more vulnerable in the warmer weather. Make sure they are able to stay cool and hydrated.”

Learn all Warwickshire Resilience Forum’s tips for being Better Prepared for hot weather and heatwaves on our dedicated Heatwave page.