Health chiefs in East Sussex are urging people to keep their cool as heatwave conditions sent temperatures soaring.

The county has been placed under a Level 3 heatwave alert, meaning the public, particularly those in high-risk groups, should be aware of ways to protect themselves from the possible effects of hot weather.

Cynthia Lyons, East Sussex acting director of public health, said: “While most people are happy to see the sun come out, sustained periods of hot weather like the one we’re experiencing pose health risks for certain sectors of our population in particular.

“High temperatures can be dangerous for young children and babies, older people and those with serious illnesses, but people can minimise the risk by taking some simple measures.

“We’d urge people to make sure they stay cool during the hot spell by seeking shade and taking in plenty of cool drinks, and to look out for vulnerable friends, neighbours and family members who may be feeling the heat.”

To stay safe in the sun, people are urged to:
– Keep out of the sun at the hottest times, between 11am and 3pm
– Seek shade and wear sunscreen, loose cotton clothing, sunglasses and a hat when in the sun
– Drink lots of cool drinks
– Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle – especially infants, young children or animals.

People can also stay cool indoors by closing curtains on sun-facing windows, opening windows at cooler times of day and turning off heat-generating non-essential lights and electrical equipment.

A Level 3 heatwave alert is triggered when the Met Office confirms threshold temperatures – in East Sussex an average of 31C in the day and 16C at night – have been reached for one day and one night, and a greater than 90 per cent chance of reaching the threshold again is forecast on the following day.