Temperatures could soon reach more than 35C in some parts of the UK as the week goes on. While the warm, dry weather and sunshine means we can spend more time outside with friends and family, it also brings with it some downsides.
These include hayfever, the risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke and struggling to get to sleep at night - not only for you, but for the youngest members of your family, too. Meanwhile the Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning from the end of the weekend and into next week as conditions continue to heat up.
The rare warning states there could be a danger to life or potential serious illness as a result of the scorching temperatures. Other issues could include road closures and delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.
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It's so important to look after your health, especially during a period of such irregular weather in the UK. The NHS has issued some guidance on keeping babies safe and cool while it's hot outside.
The NHS recommends keeping children and babies cool by:
- 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.
- Keep nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum. If your baby kicks or pushes off the covers during the night, consider putting them in just a nappy with a single well-secured sheet that will not work loose and cover their face or get entangled during the night.
- 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.
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