DOCTORS across the region are bracing themselves for large numbers of heatwave victims this week as the Department of Health warns people should avoid going out between 11am and 3pm.
The government has issued a heatwave warning and town halls in Greater Manchester have also sent out hundreds of advice leaflets to families.
In the first `heat health' alert of the summer, the Department of Health is warning people to keep their homes as cool as possible, avoid going out between 11am and 3pm, and to visit those who could be at risk, particularly the elderly.
The Met Office is predicting daytime temperatures in the high 20Cs, cooling to around 15C during the night.
Tuesday could be Greater Manchester's hottest day of the year so far, with a high of 28C.
Forecasters say the build-up of heat and humidity is likely to cause thunderstorms most evenings and nights.
That could see a repeat of flash flooding across Greater Manchester at the weekend.
But the city and surrounding towns are expected to escape the most oppressive heat this week, with London and the south and east worst affected.
Andy Page, Met Office chief forecaster, said: "The hottest day of the year so far was Thursday, with Heathrow Airport recording a high of 28C, but that is expected to be beaten over the coming week."
Alan Higgins, Oldham's director of public health, said: "It is particularly important that people with infants and those over 75 take the necessary precautions to avoid serious harm through heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
"Timely preventive measures can help people avoid serious health problems and for some vulnerable people, even death."
Advice on how to reduce the risk is available from the Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk, NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or from your local GP or pharmacist.
A bookmaker has cut the odds on record-breaking temperatures.
Ladbrokes reduced the odds on the highest temperature ever recorded in Britain from 8/1 to 7/1.
Thermometers reached 38.5C (101.3F) in Kent in 2003, but the figure could be beaten this year.
Spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "If the forecasters are to be believed, the thermometer could hit treble figures.
"A nationwide gamble could seriously burn the bookies and see profits evaporate overnight."
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Showing comments 1 to 9 and replies | View All
uss midway, Holstein Ostsee. (29/06/2009 at 09:10)
That bit of fluff, under the sofa (29/06/2009 at 11:18)
Is It Me? (29/06/2009 at 12:16)
PW, Manchester (29/06/2009 at 12:49)
Sorry, I am always amazed at how basic advice has to be for a lot of people.
Rustics Gal (29/06/2009 at 22:11)
Gary SK13 (30/06/2009 at 13:22)
We live in a very temperate climate in this country compared to other parts of the world, and to keep going on about severe weather is embarassing.
Bryan Marzullo (30/06/2009 at 14:04)
J.Hall, Tameside (30/06/2009 at 16:37)
Its stuffed into us by Government and the Media without the slightest reference to what the actual danger is.Its time the rhetoric reflected the reality,but since the Government and numerous media organisations withold the facts,with its the "HEAT" causing the problems, according to the brain washing method of news releases,whereas Its the air you are daily breathing which as temperatures rise now in 2009 and other times the toxic components in the air become vast,and in the UK each year approx 30,000 die from air pollution related diseases,with another 300,000 needing Hospital or GP assistance.
In France last year during a heat wave 20,000 people died prematurely because of the high release of toxins. If you simply search " PM2.5 Particulates and Public Health" you will learn more the range of diseases now being caused than even your GP probably knows.
So when they say Heatwave Dangers they should state "Air Pollution Dangers",and the UK is one of the most polluted regions in Europe and as far as Greater Manchester Air,its absolutely disgusting what we ingest but that`s another issue your MP`s and Councillors hide and shy away from telling you.
You elect them and then they withold information because of the backlash from the public.
Lets have the bloody backlash its our lives and our bodies these cretins are playing with.
PW, Manchester (30/06/2009 at 19:01)
And I still say that hindering normal traffic flows are making a great contribution to unnecessary pollution. You are right, and yes, the councillors pretend there is no problem. Asthma cases are multiplying, and the official opinion is they don't know why. They even said it was because we are living in homes that are too clean.