Hot weather

We may joke about the weather in Scotland, but heat is a real risk that can affect anyone while factors like age or existing health conditions could make some people particularly vulnerable. 

Hot weather can increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It can also make existing health problems worse, like lung and heart disease.

Heat can also cause:

• dehydration
• overheating (becoming very hot)
• heat exhaustion
• heatstroke

Many of the health risks in hot weather are preventable. Here are the Ready Scotland tips and advice on how to stay safe in hot weather.

What Can I Do?

• Be prepared for the weather, whatever it might be. Check the weather forecast;
• NHS Inform provide useful advice on summer health, staying safe in hot weather and coping and managing with heat illness;
• Stay hydrated by drinking fluids throughout the day, especially if you’re active – water or diluted juice are good choices. It’s also important to limit the amount of alcohol you have. Alcohol is a diuretic meaning it can cause dehydration. If you do drink alcohol, alternate it with water or a soft drink;
• Your Water Your Life has useful information on staying hydrated;
• Check water scarcity reports from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, produced from May to September which is a crucial time for water demand;
• It's important to use water wisely, particularly during the summer months. Water is Always Worth Saving has lots of advice on how to help protect this precious resource and make small changes to save water and energy.
• Look out for neighbours or relatives who may be at risk during hot weather, trying to visit them daily and ensuring they have the support they need.
• Check the latest information on the quality of bathing waters, supplied by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Their advice is to generally avoid bathing for 1-2 days following heavy rain.
• Remember that although the air temperature may be warm, Scotland’s waterways remain cold – learn how to stay safe around water.

At Home

• Try to keep your house cool - closing blinds or curtains can help. At night, keep your sleeping area well ventilated. Night cooling is important as it allows the body to recuperate. Find out more about how to keep cool at home on NHS Inform.
• Babies and young children can become ill during very hot weather so follow advice from Children’s Health Scotland
• Follow advice from Blue Cross to keep your pets safe in hot weather;
• Stay cool by taking cool showers or baths.

Out and About

• Never leave children or animals in parked cars. Even on cool days, strong sunshine can make car interiors very hot;
• Wildfires can spread quickly, change direction without warning and pose a threat to life and property. Before lighting any outdoor fire, check for any restrictions, live wildfire danger assessments or if any permits are required. Always ensure outdoor fires are safely and fully extinguished after use;
• Avoid sun damage to your skin by staying out of the sun when the sun’s rays are strongest (11am to 3pm). If you have to go out, stay in the shade, when possible, protect your skin using sunscreen of at least Factor 30 and wear a hat, sunglasses and light-coloured loose-fitting clothes . Get more advice on suitable clothing and sunscreen during hot weather on NHS Inform;
• Where possible, try to plan any exercise and outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day;
• Hot weather can make air pollution worse, which can cause problems if you suffer from a breathing or heart condition.  Knowing the outdoor air pollution in your area can help you be better prepared.  Check air pollution forecasts. You may benefit from registering with the free Know and Respond Scotland service, which provides text alerts when the air quality is poor, accompanied by targeted health advice;
• Reservoirs, rivers, lochs and the sea might appear inviting for a quick cool down but there are many hidden dangers such as strong currents and cold water shock with consequences that can be fatal – learn more about water safety from Water Safety Scotland and find information on wild swimming at NHS Inform;
• Avoid open water that appears green, blue-green or greenish brown, or where there are warning notices for blue-green algae in place. Don’t let dogs swim there either. More information on blue green algae, including a map of confirmed algal blooms can be found at Bloomin Algae.
• Follow good hand hygiene precautions to prevent infections from food or animals.
• If you want to go swimming, it’s best to use a properly supervised site with lifeguards such as a beach, lido or swimming pool.
• Check SEPA's bathing waters pages for the location of Scotland's bathing waters and the latest updates.

More Information

• The definition of a heatwave in Scotland is when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures above 25°C, however impacts from heat can be felt for periods shorter than this. The Met Office provide further details and advice.
• NHS Inform has more information on summer health, staying safe in hot weather and coping and managing with heat illness.