Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heat stroke it needs to be treated as an emergency.
Preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke
There’s a high risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke during hot weather and exercise.
To help prevent these:
- Drink plenty of cold drinks, especially when exercising
- Take cool baths or showers
- Wear light-coloured, loose clothing
- Sprinkle water over skin or clothes
- Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
- Avoid excess alcohol
- Avoid extreme exercise
This will also prevent dehydration and help your body keep itself cool.
Keep an eye on children, the elderly and people with long-term health conditions (like diabetes or heart problems) because they’re more at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
