Council leaders urge residents to stay safe in hot weather

Council leaders urge residents to stay safe in hot weather

People in Stoke-on-Trent are being urged to stay safe as temperatures are set to soar over the coming days.

Across the city temperatures are set to reach 33°C on Monday 18 July and 36°C on Tuesday 19 July. The Met Office has issued its first Red Weather Warning for Extreme heat.

The heat can affect anyone, but some people run a greater risk of serious harm. People should try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, drink plenty of fluids and apply sunscreen and wear a hat if they are in direct sunlight.

The increase in temperature may also see more people, especially children consider swimming in open water. Open water can hide dangers such as debris and rocks. The cold temperature of the water can also lead to Cold Water Shock – causing cramp and difficulty breathing – this can lead to drowning in even the strongest swimmer. The city council is urging parents to talk about the dangers of open water swimming to their children.

With record temperatures affecting the country, the city council is keen to make sure its employees and residents are as weather safe as possible. To support this, the following changes to council services have been made:

• From Monday 18 July, bin collections will start at the earlier time of 0600hours, to reflect the cooler temperatures at the start of the day. It is expected this change will stay in place during current heatwave forecasts.
• Burslem Household Waste Recycling Centre will close at 1pm on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July.
• Gritters will be out on the roads on Monday 18 July. With temperatures over 30ºC bitumen in road surfaces across the country can soften and rise to the top. Grit provides a barrier from car tyres and helps to soak up and reduce any melting of tarmac.
• Northwood Stadium will be closed on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July.
• The small gym, sauna and steam room at Fenton Manor Sports Complex will be closed on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July.
• No fitness classes at the Wallace Sports and Education Centre will be running on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July.
• The 3G football pitch at Dimensions Leisure Centre will be closed on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July.
• The activities planned in support of the arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay’s in Hanley Park on Monday 18 July have been cancelled in order to protect residents’ safety.

Over the next few days the city council will be keeping their other services under review to ensure that residents and workforce can be kept safe.

Similarly, people sleeping rough may be particularly vulnerable to the heat, during this time the city council will be working with its partners to put a number of extra measures in place. These include daily patrols of the city by the council’s Rough Sleeping Outreach Team, Homeless Health Care Team and Veterans Connect’s outreach service all of whom will be handing out water, sun cream and advice on staying cool and opening up buildings so people with nowhere else to go can get away from the sun and get access to a cold drink.

If residents see anyone sleeping rough they can report their location to the Rough Sleeper Outreach Team on 0800 970 2304 and they will aim to visit the next day at the latest, however, if residents have any serious concerns about someone’s health during this time they should call 999.

Council leader Abi Brown said: “The welfare of the residents in the city is the main priority for the city council. We are maintaining essential services in support of the most vulnerable and we have adapted our services accordingly whilst the unpresented warm weather is expected.

“We know that many people will be keen to enjoy the hot weather, but it is important to make sure we all stay safe and look out for one another. There is a risk to life and daily routines will need to change to keep us all safe – the NHS have warned there will likely be a greater demand for ambulances and they will be stretched.

“Please take the time to check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours to make sure they are ok, keep out of the midday sun and stay hydrated.”

More information on the common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke are available on NHS.UK.

UKHSA’s Beat the heat checklist identifies suitable actions people can take to protect themselves during periods of hot weather.