Keeping safe this summer

An amber heat health alert from UKHSA is in place for south east England from Wednesday 29 July to Thursday 30 July.

UKHSA advises that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including:

• a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups.
• likely increased demand on all health and social care services.
• internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment.
• the heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services.
• indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings.
• issues managing medicines.
• staffing issues due to external factors (for example, affecting transport).
• increased demand for power exceeding capacity.
• other sectors starting to observe impacts (for example, travel delays).
• water‑related incidents may increase, including risks from cold‑water shock and drowning.

Fire service: heatwave brings increased wildfire and water safety risks 

• Beat the heat with hot weather advice.
• Use the keep cool at home checklist to stay comfortable indoors.
• Spot the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke with advice from the NHS.
• Action Cards for Heat Health Alerts for carers, commissioners, voluntary organisations, & communities.
• Read more advice from us about heatwaves.
• Learn how to prepare for extreme heat and heatwaves.
• View and sign up to heat health alerts from UK Health Security Agency.

• Understand the importance of hydration with guidance from the British Nutrition Foundation.
• Find out how to get enough healthy fluids every day to stay hydrated.
• Go easy on alcohol, alternate with water or soft drinks, and try alcohol-free options with Call the Shots.
• Take water with you and use the Refill app to find free refill stations.

• For health advice, use NHS 111 online in the first instance or contact your GP practice. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999. More from NHS Surrey and Sussex.
• Make the right choice for your health needs. NHS Surrey and Sussex has advice on using services appropriately.
• Get information on sun safety and protecting your skin from Cancer Research UK.
• Alcohol: stay in control and enjoy safely with support from the Call the Shots campaign.
• Your mental health is just as important during hot weather. Find advice and support information.
• Air quality: hot weather can affect people with respiratory conditions. Check alerts in Sussex and access health guidance.
• Stay healthy year-round with advice from West Sussex Wellbeing.
• Enjoy food safely this summer with hygiene tips from the Food Standards Agency.
• Be tick aware: ticks are more active in warmer months, spreading Lyme disease & tick-borne encephalitis. Watch this video for more information.
• Sexual health: to find out about sexual health services and where to get free condoms, contraception and STI testing kits visit  SAFE: Sex Aware, Feel Empowered

• Look out for friends, family, and neighbours who might struggle in the heat. Helpful advice is available from Heat summary: supporting vulnerable people.
• Don't forget pets and animals. RSPCA guidance can help keep them safe.

• Entering cold rivers, lakes and the sea to escape the heat can pose serious health risks. Find out about cold water shock and follow the Float to Live advice from RNLI.
• In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. If you are deaf or have a speech impairment, send an emergency SMS.
• Know the risks at the coast and how to stay safe with advice from ROSPA and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.
• Keep your family safe at home, beaches, rivers, and pools with RLSS resources for parents.
• Check the weather, sea conditions and tide times before you travel
• Do not enter the water if you’ve consumed alcohol or drugs, as they increase the risk of accidents, including drowning: About Don't Drink and Drown

• There is an increased risk of fires being started outside during the summer months.
• Following the advice from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service can help keep our communities and countryside safe from fire.
• Barbecues, especially disposable ones, pose a huge fire risk, so make sure you know how to use them safely.

• Driving in hot weather? Take water and prepare with National Highways. 
• Sudden downpours of rain can affect your ability to see, response times and road conditions. National Highways say that if it's time for your wipers, it's time to slow down. Check what to do if your vehicle aquaplanes, know the risks about flash floods, and don't drive through flood water. 
• Train and bus services may be affected. Check National Rail and your bus operator.

• The council has gritters on standby ready to deploy a granite treatment to help protect road surfaces from extreme heat.
• Our teams monitor and inspect key sites and respond to issues reported to us.
• Report issues with the roads.
• We work to minimise our staff and contractors being exposed to extreme heat during the hottest parts of the day. This may mean some minor impacts on work schedules, but their health and wellbeing is a priority. 

• Hot weather can put pressure on water supplies.
• Check your water supplier to see whether water use restrictions are in place where you are. 
• See our climate action advice for tips on using less and protecting the environment.
• There's also the Let's Save Water campaign, led by Ofwat and backed by water companies 

• When attending festivals and events this summer, always check the health and safety advice on the organiser's website before you travel.
• Check travel updates before heading off and take water with you for the journey.  
• Stay up-to-date with your vaccines to help keep yourself and other people healthy during the event.
• Be aware of health risks including those associated with drug and alcohol use, sexually transmitted infections, diseases such as measles and meningococcal disease, and heat-related illness.
• Know where to go to get medical advice quickly if you or a friend feel unwell, and get help immediately if you’re worried about yours or someone else’s health.
• Hot weather advice for organisers of mass gatherings and events 

• Experience Sussex has ideas on events, places to visit and things to do across our county.
• Enjoy the football World Cup 2026 and help keep everyone safe during the tournament.