The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is urging the public to take simple steps to summer-proof their health kit. Just like a smartphone overheating in direct sunlight, equipment like insulin monitors, hearing aids, and mobility scooters can be affected by heat, moisture, and sweat.
Keeping equipment out of sunny spots and checking manufacturer guidelines can help prevent avoidable glitches as the weather warms up. Rob Reid, from the MHRA, stressed that simple safeguards make a huge difference.
Reid said: "Millions of people rely on medical devices every day, so it’s important to remember that extreme heat can affect how some devices operate. Your medical device should come with instructions explaining how it should be used, stored and maintained."
Heat Disruption Risks
Home diagnostic kits and testing strips often require specific temperature ranges to deliver accurate readings. Excessive warmth or damp conditions can distort these results and render tests unreliable.
Continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps are equally vulnerable to soaring heat, whilst sweat can loosen sticky patches and sensors. Meanwhile, portable oxygen concentrators and powered kits are at risk of overheating if sun exposure blocks their cooling vents.
Hearing aids and battery-powered tools suffer from excess moisture, while electric wheelchair batteries often experience performance drops in extreme heat. Respiratory machines, such as CPAP units, also accumulate unwanted condensation in their tubing when humidity rises.
Practical Safeguards
The MHRA advises people to read the official instructions to confirm recommended temperature thresholds for their specific kit. Devices should never be left in hot vehicles or in sunny, enclosed spaces that warm up rapidly.
Batteries and main units ought to be kept away from intense heat and moisture whenever possible. It is vital to inspect equipment for physical damage before use, as temperatures outside safety limits can cause hidden faults.
Wearable devices must be checked routinely to make sure adhesive seals stay firmly attached to skin despite summer sweat. Spare batteries should remain fully charged and stored according to manufacturer recommendations.
If any electrical device gets wet from high humidity or water exposure, let it dry out completely before testing it. Users should always have a plan ready in case their kit displays an error or shuts down unexpectedly.
Reporting Issues
Reid advised: "Keeping your device out of direct sunlight, avoiding leaving it in a hot car, being aware of issues like sweat and following the manufacturer’s instructions for storage and operating temperatures can help reduce the risk of problems."
"If you are unsure if hot weather could affect your device, check the manufacturer’s instructions or contact your healthcare professional for advice. It’s a good idea to know what to do if your device shows an error message or stops working as expected, including any backup arrangements recommended by your healthcare professional or the manufacturer. Taking a few simple precautions can help you continue to use your medical devices safely throughout the summer."
If you suspect a medical device has failed or caused harm, you can report the issue directly through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
