UK faces up to a hot summer with early signs of a heatwave
Large parts of the UK were trapped in an uncomfortable heatwave over the last 8 weeks. According to the Met Office, it’s still too early to tell if the rest of the summer is going to follow suit, but there is a strong possibility that this summer will see a heatwave in the UK to rival those of 2003 and 2006, which affected most of Europe. In anticipation of the hot weather to follow, the Met Office and the Department of Public Health have issued heat warnings and tips for coping with heatwaves throughout the UK.
At particular risk are the very old and the very young, but that doesn’t mean that hale and hearty 20-30 year olds are immune to the effects of a hot summer. The Heatwave Plan, implemented by the Department of Health, urges people to drink plenty of fluids (except caffeine drinks like coffee) and stay indoors between 11:00 and 15:00, the hottest parts of the day. The Plan also advises people to check in regularly with vulnerable friends and family and to keep an eye out for those who appear to be suffering any ill-effects.
The UK’s Heatwave Plan includes an ‘alert’ that is updated regularly and informs people of the safety levels and precautions they should be adopting. There are 4 levels:
• Level one - Green: “Summer preparedness and long-term planning”. This includes painting your home white and planting shrubs in your garden.
• Level two – Amber: “Alert and readiness”
• Level three – Red: “Heatwave action”
• Level four – Red emergency
During the most recent hot spell the alert warning was pushed up to three, but for the most part hovered at alert level two. For a heatwave to be declared in the UK, temperatures in London have to consistently peak at 31°C during the day and can’t dip below 18°C at night. So far, summer 2009 is shaping up to be worse than that of 2006. This June was the hottest, driest and sunniest month since July 06. Sales for portable air conditioners and air conditioning units are going through the roof and, as the odds turn in favour of this summer turning into a heatwave, it looks as though portable air conditioning stockists will have a tough time keeping up with demand.
During the heatwave of 2003 there were over 2,000 deaths from heat-related causes, which is why the Department of Health is doing its best to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to survive any heatwaves in 2009 this year. Schools are advised to keep children indoors during break times and people have also been warned to be careful when they go swimming.
The Trades Union Congress have advised employers to consider their employees during the heatwave by providing proper protective clothing, sun block and to consider different hours for shifts so that no one is subjected to prolonged sun exposure. Pet owners have once again been cautioned not to leave pets locked in cars when they go shopping and to ensure that a fresh supply of cool water is always available.
To add insult to injury, the Centre for Economics and Business Research says that any prospective heatwave in the UK this year could cost the country £187 million per day as many feign illness and call in sick to enjoy the sunshine. Other work related costs include loss of productivity and staff arriving late as they try to deal with the effects of an impending heatwave in the UK.
