Blinded by the sun?

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weather forecast for 13th to 20th june showing heatwave temperaturesFor those of us who grew up in the fifties and sixties, a hot sunny day was once celebrated by opening all the doors and windows and letting the sun warm up the inside of your flat or house. But by "hot" we meant that the temperature was over 70F or 21C, and this week we're expecting 35C. In old money, 95F, a temperature that seemed scarcely imaginable back then.

However much you dislike cold weather, these temperatures are decidedly bad news. They directly threaten the health of older people and of vulnerable people of all ages. We can now see why on the continent they use shutters to block out the sun during the day, then open the windows wide after dark. That way you stand a chance of keeping indoor temperatures low enough to be able to function and to sleep at night.

Enfield Over 50s Forum have issued some advice - see the box below.

However, the frequency of high temperatures is also a sign of rapid global heating and climate change. Writing in the Independent, Green MP Caroline Lucas  points out the urgency of taking steps to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On Monday an emergency climate science briefing was provided for MPs, but the turnout was abysmally low. The Independent Panel on Climate Change has warned that "Any further delay on adaptation and mitigation will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.”

Caroline Lucas writes that "The solutions to the climate emergency are staring us in the face. We just need to get on and make them a reality". These solutions will actually provide an economic boost and create much new employment, yet the Conservative MPs who are campaigning to become the next prime minister are actually suggesting cutting back on the government's commitments to measures to reduce carbon emissions. "Has the sun," she asks, "blinded their eyes to the climate science?"

Hot weather advice issued by the Enfield Over 50s Forum

Make no mistake, very hot weather can be a killer for older people. We’ve had 33 degrees C. that’s over 90F in the old money and there’s no cooler period in sight, in fact, even higher temperatures are forecast, 40 degrees, high 90sF next week.

Daytime temperatures will remain high with nights far too warm for comfort. Above average temperatures for two days are a red flag for vulnerable older people and we all become more vulnerable with age. So:

  1. Keep windows CLOSED that are exposed to the sun during the day.
  2. Pull down blinds if you have them and close light curtains to keep the room shady, dark curtains can make a room hotter unless light lined.
  3. Many people will have been taught to open the windows “to let the fresh air in” and old habits die hard, but this is one we need to kick. Let’s take a leaf out of our Mediterranean neighbours’ book and keep the sun out in daytime and try to flood the house with cool air at night.
  4. Avoid heat and the sun. Don’t go out between 11am and 3 pm. At present these times can be as early as 10 and late as 5.
  5. Outside, apart from loose, minimal clothing, make sure you wear a hat and shade your eyes from glare.
  6. Drink cold drinks regularly preferably water or diluted fruit juice. Avoid alcohol, too much caffeine, cola or any drinks high in sugar.
  7. Avoid cooking and hot food if possible. These are salad days - with ice cream perhaps.
  8. Underdress at home, you can always keep a coverall near the front door to avoid shocking callers!
  9. Have cool baths and spray or splash yourself with cold water.
  10. Listen to temperature alerts on the radio, tv and social media and take precautionary measures.
  11. Identify the coolest room in the house and use it as a refuge. Keep bowls of cold/icy water in rooms you’re using.
  12. Don’t take too much exercise. This includes walking as much as usual or doing demanding household jobs and gardening.

The Met Office website is good on local detail. Use it if you can. At the moment it is telling us that there is a core of weather from Hampshire through central London and surrounds where the temperature could exceed 35C and that in excess of 40 “is not beyond the bounds of possibility”.

Death rates among older people can rise sharply and swiftly in very hot weather.

See also this heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency 

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