North west covered by amber heat-health alert until Sunday

Temperatures are set to rise over 30°C

An amber heat-health alert has been issued across eight regions of England, including the north west, with temperatures set to rise over 30°C.

An amber alert means that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service.

The alert was upgraded from yellow at 12 noon on Tuesday 5 September and will remain in place until 9pm on Sunday 10 September.

The government warns there may be an increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Heat-health alerts are issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “Many of us will welcome the hot weather for the coming days, but it is important to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun and look out for those who are more vulnerable to the effects of heat.

“We advise you to check on older family members, friends, or neighbours and those with heart or lung conditions.

“Staying hydrated and keeping cool is crucial for everyone during hot weather, while enjoying the sun.”

Additionally, there are ways in which you can keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather, such as:

• knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
• keeping out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
• if you are going to do a physical activity (for example, exercising or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening
• keeping your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• if you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing, such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, and seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly