Amber heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have issued an amber heat-health alert in 8 regions of England.

The regions included in the amber alert are:

• London
• South East
• South West
• North West
• East Midlands
• West Midlands
• East of England
• Yorkshire and the Humber



The alert is currently in place from 12 noon on Tuesday 5 September to 9pm on Sunday 10 September.

At this level, some health impacts may be seen across the wider population, and an increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Here are the ways in which you can keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather:

• check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
• know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
• keep out of the direct sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
• if you are going to do a physical activity (for example, exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
• keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• if you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly
• drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake