Do they really think we are that stupid?

The BBC are pushing the scary, scary heatwave line with comments such as

'The first heatwave of the summer has been announced.

But how dangerous is the hot weather to our health and what precautions should we be taking?

...

So why is a heatwave dangerous?

Consistently hot weather poses a risk to health because it can interfere with the body's ability to regulate its temperature.

For most healthy adults and children, as long as they drink plenty of water and avoid baking in the midday sun, it should not pose a problem - other than perhaps being uncomfortable.

But for the elderly, very young, and those with chronic medical conditions, the health risks are potentially significant.


...

What can people do to limit the risks?

The advice is to be prepared, especially those people who are most vulnerable, and to check on neighbours and relatives who may be at risk.

Stock up on food and drink and make sure that those who take regular medicines have adequate supplies.

Drink plenty of water and keep in the shade where possible - particularly taking care to avoid the sun in the hottest part of the day between 11am and 3pm.

Stay in the coolest room in the house, close blinds and curtains if necessary and also keep windows shut when it is warmer outside than in, opening them at night when it is a bit cooler.

Ultimately if you or anyone else feels unwell, the best thing to do is to drink water and go somewhere cool to rest.

Anyone experiencing breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, weakness or cramps that get worse or persist, should seek medical help.'

So if it gets hot the advice is to try and stay cool by drinking water and staying in the shade; genius, it's a good job we have access to such advice because I assumed that if I felt hot the best thing to do was to run about in the sun, not drink and sit in the warmest room in the house.

Meanwhile The Telegraph have photos of animals cooling themselves down, oddly they haven't read the latest health advice from NHS Direct, another waste of money organisation that advises us that

'Be prepared in case the weather stays hot:

* Stay tuned to the weather forecast on the TV or radio.
* If you’re planning to travel, check the forecast at your destination too.
* Plan ahead: stock up with supplies so that you don't need to go out during extreme heat and think about what medicines, food and non-alcoholic drinks you'll need.
* Keep plenty of water to hand and stay in the shade whenever possible.
* Identify the coolest room in the house, so you can go there to keep cool.

Remember:

* Enjoy the weather but try to stay cool.
* Don't go outside between 11am and 3pm as this is the hottest part of the day.
* Spend time in the shade and avoid strenuous activity.
* Help others: check up on neighbours, relatives and friends who may be less able to look after themselves (for example, if they have mobility problems).
* Drink water or fruit juice regularly.
* Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol, and if you do drink alcohol make sure you have lots of water or other non-alcoholic drinks as well.
* Keep rooms cool by using shade or reflective material external to the glass, or if that is not possible, by closing light-coloured curtains (metallic blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter).
* Keep the windows closed while the room is cooler than it is outside and, if it's safe, open windows at night when the air is cooler.
* People with heart problems, breathing difficulties or serious illnesses may find their symptoms become worse in hot weather, so make sure you have enough medicines in stock and take extra care to keep cool.'

I particularly like 'Keep the windows closed while the room is cooler than it is outside and, if it's safe, open windows at night when the air is cooler.' If people can't work that out for themselves then they really don't deserve to be called human.







Of course it's all the fault of climate change -

'Are heatwaves getting more common?

According to a Department of Health report, climate change means that heatwaves are likely to become more frequent in England.

The worst heatwave in recent years happened in August 2003 when record-breaking temperatures led to 2,000 excess deaths in the UK.

Northern France bore the brunt of the hot weather that year when three weeks of unprecedentedly high temperatures resulted in 15,000 excess deaths.

By the 2080s, it is predicted that an event similar to that experienced in England in 2003 will happen every year.'