Government declares UK heatwave a national emergency

The current heatwave has been declared a national emergency by the UK Government, after the MET Office issued its first ever Level 4 Warning for Extreme Heat on Friday 15 July, which means that the upcoming hot weather conditions could impact lives, infrastructure and property.

With temperatures predicted to reach as high as 40 degrees on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July, the UK Government, medical professionals and other experts across the UK are advising people to take extra steps to protect themselves from the extreme heat.

You can find the government’s official heat-health advice (opens in a new tab), which includes staying cool indoors, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day.

You can also find some really helpful heatwave first aid tips (opens in a new tab) here by the British Red Cross, one of our national emergency response partners.

The National Emergencies Trust continues to monitor the extreme weather situation closely in line with our appeal activation criteria. We strongly echo the encouragement of experts that you try to keep cool and take extra care of yourself and your loved ones in the coming days.