Adapting to Change

Heatwaves

We often look forward to summer and to nice weather, but even in the UK hot weather causes illness and can kill.

How Watford Council is helping prepare for heatwaves

  • Tree planting across Watford Town: Watford Council has a target to increase canopy cover across Watford to 25% by 2030. Increasing the number of trees planted on our streets helps negate the urban heat island effect, where urban areas experience higher temperatures because urban stuctures such as buildings and roads are made from heat absorbing materials like concrete. 
  • Transforming Travel in Watford: Watford Council's programme to oversee a modal shift away from private cars, with an emphasis on public transport, cycling and walking, will reduce fuel usage and diminish the urban heat island effect. 
  • Local Plan: Watford Council's Local Plan ecnourages smart design, such as dual aspect windows, passive ventilation and the incorporation of cooling measures like trees and shrubs, to prevent overheating and avoid health risks. Further detail is set out in Chapter 6 ‘An Attractive Town’. Developers are expected to integrate good design to support health and wellbeing and reduce overheating as part of their schemes. Use of traditional, energy dependent, cooling systems is not appropriate.
  • Retrofit: Watford Council's Carbon Community Assistance offers grants and loans, subject to certain conditions, to homeowners to help them retrofit their homes, so that they stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer. 

Heat-health watch - Met Office website provides updates and information on the likelihood of a heatwave.

Key Advice for during a Heatwave

Stay out of the heat

  • Keep out of the sun between 11.00am and 3.00pm.
  • If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf.
  • Avoid extreme physical exertion.
  • Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.

Cool yourself down

  • Have plenty of cold drinks, and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.
  • Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content.
  • Take a cool shower, bath or body wash.
  • Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.

Keep your environment cool

  • Keeping your living space cool is especially important for infants, the elderly or those with chronic health conditions or who can't look after themselves.
  • Place a thermometer in your main living room and bedroom to keep a check on the temperature.
  • Keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped.
  • Close curtains that receive morning or afternoon sun. However, care should be taken with metal blinds and dark curtains, as these can absorb heat - consider replacing or putting reflective material in-between them and the window space.
  • Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment - they generate heat.
  • Keep indoor plants and bowls of water in the house as evaporation helps cool the air.
  • If possible, move into a cooler room, especially for sleeping.
  • Electric fans may provide some relief, if temperatures are below 35°c.

Bonfires and barbecues

  • As temperatures rise the risk of fire increases and in these periods of hot weather we would encourage residents not to light bonfires or use disposable barbecues in public spaces.  
  • If you are having a barbecue at home the grass may be very dry so please be aware of your surroundings and any risks.  

Open water

  • We advise against swimming in open water but if you do please don't go alone and make sure someone is on the bank to raise the alarm if you get into difficulty. 
  • Dial 999 straight away in the event of an emergency and don't attempt to get into the water to rescue someone.
  • Make sure you know your location so that the 999 call handlers can get help to you as quickly as possible.  Use the what3words app to help you identify your precise location to the emergency services.  Download via Google Play or the App Store.   
  • Watch out for discarded litter, broken bottles, fly tipping, or other large items such as shopping trolleys which are often thrown into open water and can cause injury.  

Longer term

  • Consider putting up external shading outside windows.
  • Use pale, reflective external paints.
  • Have your loft and cavity walls insulated - this keeps the heat in when it is cold and out when it is hot.
  • Grow trees and leafy plants near windows to act as natural air-conditioners. 

Look out for others

  • Keep an eye on isolated, elderly, ill or very young people and make sure they are able to keep cool.
  • Ensure that babies, children or elderly people are not left alone in stationary cars.
  • Check on elderly or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during a heatwave.
  • Be alert and call a doctor or social services if someone is unwell or further help is needed.

If you have a health problem

  • Keep medicines below 25 °C or in the refrigerator (read the storage instructions on the packaging).
  • Seek medical advice if you are suffering from a chronic medical condition or taking multiple medications.

If you or others feel unwell

  • Try to get help if you feel dizzy, weak, anxious or have intense thirst and headache; move to a cool place as soon as possible and measure your body temperature.
  • Drink some water or fruit juice to rehydrate.
  • Rest immediately in a cool place if you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen, in many cases after sustained exercise during very hot weather), and drink oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes.
  • Medical attention is needed if heat cramps last more than one hour.
  • Consult your doctor if you feel unusual symptoms or if symptoms persist.

Community Spaces

Visit a free community space this summer, where you can socialise and enjoy activities in a safe, cool area as the days get warmer. You can also book free transport if you need help getting there. Browse the available spaces near you on the Hertfordshire County Council website.

Special Advice

It's important to keep a special eye on vulnerable groups during a Heatwave, and there's special advice available from a number of organisations: