Summer safety

Summer safety

High temperatures and humidity can be a health risk, so here are some helpful tips for staying safe during hot weather.

When you're out and about:

  • Avoid the peak heat: avoid spending time outside or exercising during the hottest part of the day (between 11am and 3pm). Where possible, try to keep in the shade. 
  • Dress appropriately: wear light-coloured, lightweight cotton clothing and a sun hat. 
  • Stay hydrated: carry a bottle of water with you. 
  • Sun protection: apply suncream regularly, even when it's cloudy. Use at least SPF 30 and don't forget easily missed spots, like bald patches. 
  • Eye care: talk to your optician about prescription sunglasses. Ensure any sunglasses you wear carry a CE mark and UV400 label.
  • Be prepared: keep an eye on the weather forecast. 

When you're at home:

  • Manage windows and blinds: keep windows shaded and closed during the hottest parts of the day, then open them at night when the air is cooler. Avoid dark curtains or linings that absorb heat; use pale, reflective options instead. 
  • Check your MVHR system: if your property has a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, make sure it's switched on and the summer bypass is active. This ensures stale, humid air is extracted while bringing fresh air into the home. 
  • Safe fan usage: if temperatures are below 35°C, fans can help but avoid pointing them directly at someone to prevent dehydration. 
  • Food, water, and meds: drink plenty of fluids (avoiding alcohol) and keep eating even if you lack an appetite. Stock up on food and drinking water in case of supply issues. Keep most medications below 25°C by storing them in the fridge during extreme heat. 
  • Water supplier registers: make sure you're registered with South East Water's Priority Services Register (PSR) or your specific water supplier's PSR. 
  • Register with UK Power Networks' PSR. Extreme heat can sometimes put extra strain on the electrical grid. Being on their register ensures you receive priority updates, safety advice, and extra support in the unlikely event of a power cut during a heatwave.
  • Monitor your health: Check your skin for changes every few months. Speak to a doctor if a mole changes colour, shape, or begins bleeding. 

If you get too hot:

  • Cool down effectively: a damp cloth or a splash of water on the back of your neck can cool you down more effectively than a fan.
  • Watch for dehydration: symptoms include confusion, cramps, dark urine, and fatigue. Remember, you don't have to feel thirsty to be dehydrated.
  • Recognise heat exhaustion: look out for headaches, dizziness, nausea, and a fast pulse. If you feel ill, lie down in a cool room, drink fluids, cool your skin with water, and call your pharmacist or 111.
  • Act fast for heatstroke: heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke. Symptoms include falling unconscious and seizures. Call 999 immediately if you suspect heatstroke.

Keeping your pets safe

Don’t forget about your furry friends when the temperature rises. Ensure pets always have access to fresh drinking water and a cool, shaded area to rest. Avoid walking dogs during the hottest parts of the day—as a general rule, if the pavement is too hot for the back of your hand, it's too hot for their paws.

Can I install cooling systems in my home?

Celling fans can help to make you feel cooler when your home is hot. You need to request permission to install a celling fan and it must be installed by a qualified electrician. 

Portable air conditioning systems

You can use portable air conditioning systems in your home as long as they're stand alone units that don't require components to be fitted to the outside of the property.

As the sun begins to make a regular appearance and days get longer and warmer, our minds turn to spending more time outdoors. Here're some tips on staying safe as you enjoy fun in the sun.

Using water wisely during heatwaves

A hosepipe ban was announced by South East Water on Thursday 25 June 2026, enforceable from 3 July. Find out more.

When the weather gets hot, everyone tends to use much more water at the same time, which can put a massive strain on local water supplies and lower water pressure.

You can help ensure there is always enough water for everyone’s essential needs—like drinking and cooking—by making small changes. Try to avoid using garden hoses or sprinklers, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and reuse paddling pool water for your plants. Every little drop saved helps protect our community's supply, and helps keep your bills in check!

Heat and your health

Most medications need to be kept below 25°C, so during periods of extreme heat it may be sensible to keep them in the fridge. You may be more vulnerable to overheating or dehydration if you take:

  • Diuretics ("water tablets") or certain blood pressure medications, which increase fluid loss or can suppress your natural thirst response.
  • Certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, or antihistamines, which can reduce your body's ability to sweat and cool down naturally.
  • Stimulants (such as some ADHD medications), which can slightly raise your baseline body temperature.

Never stop taking your prescribed medication during a heatwave. Instead, take extra care to stay in the shade, sip water regularly and speak to your local pharmacist or GP if you feel dizzy, unusually tired, or are worried about how your medication interacts with the heat.

Speak to your local pharmacist, GP or medical professional if you have any concerns about your medications, or how your health conditions may be affected by the hot weather.

Stay informed with heat health alerts

Keep an eye out for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office Heat-Health Alerts on the news or online. These alerts range from Yellow (assess risk for vulnerable groups) to Amber and Red (widespread risk to health and infrastructure).

Understanding these warnings helps you take extra precautions before extreme temperatures arrive.

Barbecues

Barbecues can be a great way to share a meal but please take care and keep safe.  

Please check your tenancy agreement if you want to use your barbecue in a communal garden as you may not be allowed to use the space in this way.  

Here are a few BBQ safety reminders:

  • Never leave any barbecue unattended
  • Ensure the barbecue is on a flat, level surface, well away from trees or shrubs
  • Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area
  • Ensure the barbecue is cool before attempting to move it
  • Keep a bucket of water or sand at hand to use in an emergency 
  • Don’t have a barbecue on your balcony, it's dangerous and a fire risk to you and your neighbours.
  • If using a gas BBQ, ensure gas cylinders are turned off before changing them. Check the connection hose prior to use, check for leaks and ensure gas canisters are in date and are not damaged.
  • If you’re using a disposable BBQ or have ashes from a charcoal one, please make sure it has cooled before disposing of it. Ash can be used as a fertilizer or added to compost or placed in your general waste bin. To avoid starting a fire you should allow it to cool for several hours and then consider pouring water over it to make sure it's out.

Pools 

Splashing around in the garden is great and helps to keep you cool, but you need to stay alert to enjoy your pool safely.

Here are some useful ways to stay safe:

  • Cover pools at the end of the day 

Cover the pool of water as soon as you’ve finished using it.

  • Reuse water from pools

Do this responsibly. You can, for example use the water for flowerbeds or your plants. Pour the water out evenly over a large surface area. Don't just soak the ground where the pool is sitting as this can, over time, create an issue. A small paddling pool could take 3,000 litres of water to fill — that’s the equivalent of 7,500 cups of tea!

  • Never leave your children unattended by the pool 

Keep young children within arm’s reach at all times. Know what to do in an emergency - you can find useful advice  here.   

When it's especially hot, open water can be very tempting to jump into and swim in - please take care of the special dangers that come when there's water around. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) shares some good advice.

Please be a good neighbour and check on older and vulnerable people who live near you.

If you need medical help call 111 unless it’s an emergency. Dial 999 only in an emergency. Go to  NHS website  for more information.