Paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service are alerting the public to five common errors made during heatwaves, one of which could be fatal. The Met Office has confirmed that the UK is experiencing a prolonged heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 30°C across parts of England and Wales and expected to persist into next week. A provisional maximum of 33°C was recorded in Yelverton, Devon, on Saturday.
Dehydration: A Common Mistake
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson stated: "Think you know how to stay safe in a heatwave? Here are the top five mistakes to avoid. Number five, waiting until you feel thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty you're already starting to get dehydrated. Keep sipping fluids and water throughout the day even if you're not feeling thirsty."
Avoid Midday Sun
The service also warned against prolonged exposure between 11am and 3pm. "The sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm. Even if you feel fine, too much heat can quickly lead to heat exhaustion," another ambulance worker explained.
Dangers of Open Water Swimming
One surprising piece of advice is to avoid jumping into open water to cool down. The paramedic outlined: "Rivers, lakes and reservoirs hide a lot of dangers and are surprisingly cold even during a heatwave. The sudden temperature change can trigger cold water shock which can be fatal. No lifeguard, no swimming."
Never Leave Children or Pets in Cars
"Number two, leaving children or pets in parked cars. Even if it's only for a few minutes, the temperature inside a car can rise dangerously fast. It can become life-threatening much quicker than people realise," the paramedic added.
Check on Vulnerable People
"And number one, forgetting to check on vulnerable people. Older adults, babies and people with health conditions are more likely to become seriously unwell in the heat. A quick phone call or knock on the door can make a real difference. Most heat-related emergencies are preventable."
RNLI Safety Advice for Open Water
The RNLI has issued crucial safety guidance for open water. Ross Macleod, RNLI Water Safety Manager, commented: "As the exceedingly hot weather continues, we are urging families to talk about the dangers of swimming and jumping into open water – this could be a conversation that saves lives. Cold water shock is a real danger... The sea or open water may look inviting during hot weather, but it remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock... It's best to enter the water slowly to gradually acclimatise."
Macleod advised: "Anyone who finds themselves in danger in the water should fight the panic instinct and Float to Live – try to relax and float on their back, with head tilted back, gently moving their hands and legs to help them stay afloat. This buys valuable time to get your breathing back under control, before then calling for help or swimming to safety."
If you see someone else in danger, do not enter the water yourself. Instead, phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard; tell the struggling person to float; throw them something buoyant, like a life ring. The safest option is a lifeguarded beach, where you should swim between the red and yellow flags.
