Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather
Many of us welcome hot weather, but when it’s too hot, there are health risks. During heatwaves, more people than usual get seriously ill or die. When hot weather hits, make sure it does not harm you or anyone you know.
Why is a heatwave a problem?
The main risks posed by a heatwave are:
- not drinking enough water (dehydration)
- overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing
- heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Who’s most at risk?
A heatwave can affect anyone, but some people are more vulnerable, including:
- older people, especially those aged 65 and over
- babies and young children aged 5 years and under
- people who are pregnant or have serious long-term conditions – such as heart problems, breathing problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, mobility problems, mental health problems, or drug or alcohol addiction
- people who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves
- people who are on multiple medicines or medicines that may make them more likely to be badly affected by hot weather
- people who are already ill and dehydrated (from diarrhoea and vomiting, for example)
- people who are homeless, or who work or spend a lot of time outside, particularly if they’re physically active, such as runners, cyclists and walkers
- people whose jobs involve manual labour
Tips for coping in hot weather
Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
Cool yourself down. Have cold food and regular cold drinks. Drink extra fluids but avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
Keep your living space cool. Close windows, curtains and blinds during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees.
Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep, and make sure to check on anyone who is at higher risk from the heat.
For more information, visit GOV.UK: Heat
You can also get help from the environmental health office at your local council, if you think a hot house is affecting your health or someone else’s. They can inspect a rented home for hazards to health, including excess heat.
Find your local council (GOV.UK)
Watch out for signs of heat-related illness
If you or someone else feels unwell with a high temperature during hot weather, it may be heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Find out about the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and when to get help
More in Seasonal health
Keeping your baby safe in the sun
Babies and young children can become ill during very hot weather. Their health can be seriously affected by:
Try these tips for keeping your child happy and healthy in the heat.
Sun safety
Keep your baby cool and protect them from the sun.
- Babies under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight. Older babies should also be kept out of the sun as much as possible, particularly in the summer and between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
- If you go out when it’s hot, attach a parasol or sunshade to your baby’s pushchair to keep them out of direct sunlight. Do not cover your baby’s pushchair or pram with a blanket because it could lead to overheating. Check on them regularly to make sure they’re not getting too hot.
- Do not dress your baby in too many layers. Choose lightweight clothing.
- If your baby is 6 months or over, apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to their skin (sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months). Make sure the product also protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Many brands produce sunscreen specifically for babies and young children, as these products are less likely to contain additives that might irritate the skin. Use plenty of sunscreen and apply it regularly (every 2 hours). Re-apply it immediately after swimming or sweating.
- Make sure your child wears loose-fitting clothing, sunglasses and a sunhat with a wide brim or a long flap at the back to protect their head, ears and neck from the sun.
Find out more about sunscreen and sun safety
Avoid dehydration
Like adults, babies and young children need to drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.
From 0 to 6 months
- Fully breastfed babies do not need any water until they’ve started eating solid foods. During hot weather they may want to breastfeed more than usual.
- If you’re bottle feeding, as well as their usual milk feeds, you can give your baby a little cooled boiled water. If your baby wakes at night, they’ll probably want milk. If they have had their usual milk feeds, try cooled boiled water as well.
- Remember you can ask your health visitor or another health professional for advice about any baby care issue, advice will then be tailored to meet your baby’s needs.
From around 6 months
- Once you have started to introduce solid foods, you should offer your baby sips of water from a cup or beaker with meals. Remember that breastmilk or infant formula should be their main drinks during the first year. In hot weather, you may need to offer some additional water outside of mealtimes.
From 12 months
- Water, breast milk or whole cows’ milk should be your baby’s main drinks. In hot weather, you can try giving them frozen lollies made from plain water or from very diluted fruit juice to help keep them hydrated. Lollies made from diluted fruit juice should only be given at mealtimes because they can cause tooth decay.
- For older children, give them plenty of fruit and salad to help keep their fluid levels up. Remember that undiluted fruit juice or smoothies should not be given to children until they are 5 years old, as these can also cause tooth decay.
Read more about drinks and cups for babies and young children.
Keeping cool
Follow these tips to help keep your children cool and safe during hot weather.
- Do not leave babies or children in small, enclosed spaces, such as a parked car, as they can get hot very quickly.
- Playing in a paddling pool is a good way of keeping babies and children cool. Keep the pool in the shade during very hot weather and supervise the children carefully at all times.
- Run them a cool bath before bedtime.
- Keep your child’s bedroom cool during the day by closing blinds or curtains. You can also use a fan to circulate the air in the room. Do not aim the fan directly at your child as this could make them dehydrated.
- Keep nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum. Your baby can just wear a nappy. If they’re hot or sweaty, remove 1 or more layers of bedclothes.
- A nursery thermometer will help you monitor the temperature of your baby’s room. Your baby will sleep most comfortably when their room is between 16C and 20C. You can also keep the door of your baby’s room open and open their bedroom window (if it’s safe to do so).
Further information:
More in Safety
Winter vaccinations and winter health
There are some things you can do to help yourself stay well in winter. This includes getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Flu vaccine
Getting your flu vaccine every year, if you’re eligible, tops up your protection and reduces your risk of getting severe symptoms.
Who should have the flu vaccine
Adults at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, and most children are eligible for the flu vaccine.
hOW TO ACCESS:
If you need medical help, but it’s not an emergency, head to 111.
Where possible, go online to 111.nhs.uk, if you can’t do this, call 111 and a fully-trained advisor will help you.
Useful Links
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
Health conditions that mean you’re eligible for the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is recommended for people with certain long-term health conditions, including:
- conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- diabetes or Addison’s disease
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removed
- a learning disability
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
Speak to your GP surgery or specialist if you have a health condition and you’re not sure if you’re eligible for the flu vaccine.
The children’s flu vaccine is recommended for:
- children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025 (born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023)
- school-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
- children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions
Health conditions that mean your child is eligible for the children’s flu vaccine
It’s important for children with certain long-term health conditions to have the flu vaccine every year.
This includes children aged 6 months to 17 years who have:
- conditions that affect their breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets) or cystic fibrosis
- had a lung or airways infection in the past that meant they needed to stay overnight in hospital
- serious heart conditions
- kidney or liver disease
- some conditions that affect their brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- a weakened immune system due to a condition or treatment, such as HIV or AIDS, chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with their spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if they’ve had their spleen removed
- a learning disability
When your child turns 18, they will be eligible for the injected flu vaccine for adults.
If your child has a health condition and you’re not sure if they’re eligible for the flu vaccine, speak to their GP surgery or specialist.
How to get the flu vaccine
If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:
1, Contact your GP surgery to book an appointment
2, book a free NHS flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App – this service is for adults aged 18 and over, and some pharmacies also vaccinate children aged 2 or 3 years
3, find a pharmacy that offers free NHS flu vaccination where you can get vaccinated without an appointment (walk-in) – this service is for adults aged 18 and over, and some pharmacies also vaccinate children aged 2 or 3 years
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service or care home, or through their employer if they’re a frontline health or social care worker.
Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) get their flu vaccine at school.
The last date you will be able to get your flu vaccine is 31 March 2026, but it’s best to get vaccinated sooner to protect yourself during winter. Online booking will close on 30 March 2026.
Frontline health and social care workers should get the flu vaccine through their employer.
If you cannot get a flu vaccine through your employer, you can get it at a pharmacy or your GP surgery if you’re employed:
- by a registered residential care or nursing home
- by a registered domiciliary care provider
- by a voluntary managed hospice provider
- through direct payments or personal health budgets
Updated 24/07/2026