Charity urges pensioners to look after themselves as heatwave hits Europe

Temperatures across western Europe are set to reach record levels this weekend with the Met Office forecasting highs of 32° for London, 36° for Paris and a sweltering 40° for Madrid.

And while we in Wales are nowhere near those levels, the Met Office is still forecasting 27° for both Cardiff and Caernarfon. So whether you’re venturing abroad this weekend or staying in Wales, Age Cymru is urging pensions to take a few simple precautions to help keep safe and well in the heat.

The charity’s Health Initiatives Officer Angharad Phillips says: “The most important thing for older people is to drink more than usual in hot weather, drinking little and often throughout the day. Water, milk and diluted fruit juice or cordials will help to keep you cool and your heart from working too hard.

“It is also vital to protect your skin as even a short time in direct sunlight can lead to severe burning and an increased risk of skin cancer. Try to cover up – wear lightly coloured and loose fitting cotton clothes and protect any exposed areas of skin with a strong sunscreen of at least factor 30.

“We should also remember to protect our eyes by wearing sunglasses with a CE mark, a wide brimmed hat will also protect the delicate skin on your scalp and ears.

“As we age it becomes more difficult to regulate our body temperature so it is important to take a few simple steps to remain cool. For example, try to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day, keep your home cool by closing curtains and blinds closed in rooms that catch the sun and switch off any electronic items that you are not using as these can generate additional heat.”

For more tips on keeping safe in the heat visit our website www.agecymru.org.uk