People are being reminded about earlier waste and recycling collections, starting at 6am as well as highways teams starting earlier at 7am so crews can make the most of working in the cooler mornings.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “The forecast is for temperatures to increase over the weekend and into next week. Please follow safety advice and consider things like checking on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to make sure they are ok. Our waste and recycling crews are out earlier than usual and our highways teams working on roads are also making an earlier start to make the most of the cooler mornings.”

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Communities, added: “The Council’s Housing Services is working with homelessness agencies to discuss how we can minimise risk for people without shelter and the outreach team run by Julian House, DHI and AWP has stepped up contact with rough sleepers to make sure they have supplies of water and sunscreen and to remind them of the dangers of extreme heat, particularly when combined with alcohol.”

During the extreme heat people are being encouraged to:

Check on others

  • Check on older people or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during hot weather

Stay hydrated

  • Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol. Try to keep out of the sun between 11am-3pm when UV radiation is strongest and always use sunscreen

Physical activity

  • Avoid extreme physical exertion. If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity, such as sport, DIY or gardening, keep it for cooler parts of the day

Keeping the home cool

  • Keep your living space cool. Shade or cover windows exposed to direct sunlight and keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day. Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment. During the hottest periods find the coolest part of your home or garden/outside

On car journeys

  • Ensure babies, children, older people and pets are not left alone in parked cars, which can quickly overheat
  • Make sure you take water with you if travelling, in the event of delays or traffic congestion

Look out for the signs of heat-related harm

  • If you feel dizzy, weak or have intense thirst and a headache, move to a cool place asap. Drink water or diluted fruit juice to rehydrate. Avoid excess alcohol
  • Call 111 if you feel unusual symptoms, or if symptoms persist. Call 999 if a person develops any signs of heatstroke as this is a medical emergency

Enjoy the water safely

  • Take care and follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down. Alcohol is a major factor in accidental drownings
  • Avoid swimming in reservoirs or harbours – there are hidden dangers and strong under-currents
  • If you’re driving to a local lake or river to cool down, please be considerate and follow parking restrictions for the safety of others and to allow for an ambulance or fire engine to pass

Risk of wildfires

  • The risk of wildfires is high – please take care of the countryside, parks and open spaces by avoiding BBQs and fires and clearing up litter

Calling emergency services

  • Only call 999 in an emergency, as demand on blue light services increases during periods of extreme weather