Keeping safe this summer

Amber Heat-Health Alert – South East England
Valid 12:00 Thu 19 June – 09:00 Mon 23 June

The UKHSA and Met Office have issued an Amber alert for high temperatures in the South East.

Key potential impacts

• Likely increase in illness and mortality, especially among people aged 65+ and those with existing health conditions.
• Demand for NHS 111, GP, pharmacy and other remote health services expected to rise.
• Risk of overheating in hospitals, care homes and other care settings, potentially exceeding clinical temperature thresholds.
• Heat stress may affect staff, leading to service disruption and higher sickness absence.
• Possible medicines-storage issues where cooling is inadequate.
• Transport networks and other sectors may experience heat-related delays or equipment failures.

Stay informed

View the full alert on the Weather Health Alerts site and follow local and national hot-weather advice.

• Beat the heat with hot weather advice - GOV.UK 
• Sign up for heat-health alerts from the Met Office.
• View regional heat-health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency.
• Learn how to prepare for extreme heat and heatwaves.
• Read more advice from us about heatwaves.
• Use the keep cool at home checklist to stay comfortable indoors.
• Spot the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke with advice from the NHS.

• Understand the importance of hydration with guidance from the British Nutrition Foundation.
• Hydrate to feel great: simple tips for drinking more water and staying well from Sussex ICS.
• 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.

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

• Stay healthy year-round with advice from West Sussex Wellbeing.
• Get information on sun safety and protecting your skin from Cancer Research UK.
• Enjoy food safely this summer with hygiene tips from the Food Standards Agency.
• Alcohol: stay in control and enjoy safely with support from the Call the Shots campaign.
• Sexual health: get free condoms, testing and information on services in West Sussex via the Sexual Health Hub.
• Make the right choice for your health needs. NHS Sussex offers advice on using local services appropriately.
• Air quality: hot weather can affect people with respiratory conditions. Check alerts in Sussex and access health guidance.
• Be tick aware: ticks are more active in warmer months, spreading Lyme disease & tick-borne encephalitis. Watch this video for more information.

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.

• 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 ROSPA and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.
• Keep your family safe at lakes, rivers, and pools with RLSS resources for parents.
• Check the weather, sea conditions and tide times before you travel.

• Hot weather can put pressure on water supplies. See our climate action advice for tips on using less and protecting the environment.

• Travelling to visit friends or relatives abroad? Get guidance from the Migrant Health Guide – GOV.UK.
• Check what travel vaccinations you might need with NHS travel health advice.

• Explore what’s on across the county. Experience Sussex has ideas on events, places to visit and things to do.