Heatwaves in the UK: how to cope with extreme heat

Learn about heatwaves in the UK, how to cope with extended periods of hot weather as well as tips for first aid and other heatwave advice.

Heatwaves are extreme weather events and, because of climate change, they are becoming more common. In 2022 temperatures hit 40 degrees for the first time in the UK. In the coming decades, it is predicted periods of hot weather and heatwaves will be longer and more extreme. 

Extreme heat can be dangerous. It particularly affects elderly people, babies and children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions People who live in urban areas and on the top floors of buildings can be especially vulnerable.

Find out how to prepare for a heatwave in the UK by exploring tips for keeping cool, learning first aid skills, and making sure you are prepared for when temperatures increase. 

Download our hot weather checklist

Check weather warnings from the Met Office

Arrow icon How to keep cool in a heatwave

Arrow icon Heat exhaustion and heat stroke first aid

Arrow icon Safety advice for UK wildfires and drought

Arrow icon Heatwaves and climate change

Arrow icon Check weather warnings from the Met Office

Arrow icon Hot weather advice in different languages

How to keep cool in a heatwave

Group of adults walk outside in the hot sun

What to do before and during a heatwave

Follow our advice on how to stay safe in a heatwave, including how to prepare for hot temperatures, driving in the heat, and supporting others.

Staying safe in the heat
A little boy aims a water pistol at the camera.

Top tips to stay cool in a heatwave

Find out the very best ways to keep cool in extreme heat, and why you shouldn't believe some of those old myths.

How to keep cool during hot weather
window with curtains slightly open and a plant in a vase on the ledge

How to keep your home cool in a heatwave

One in five homes in England are likely to overheat when temperatures reach heatwave levels. Use our tips and advice to make sure your home is somewhere cool so you can escape out of the heat.

Keeping your home cool
Man lies on his back in bed with his eyes closed

How to stay cool at night during a heatwave

Quality sleep is important to your health and when temperatures rise it can be hard to drop off at night. Use these steps to make sure you get a good night's sleep even during a heatwave.

Keep cool at night

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke first aid
A young man stands in an urban area looking frazzled in a heatwave.

First aid advice for heat exhaustion

Advice of what to do if you suspect an adult has heat exhaustion. 

First aid for adults
baby and child first aid

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke advice for babies and children

Learn first aid for a child or baby who may have heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

First aid for children
Several people swimming in open water, surrounded by a forest from a British Red Cross blog about drowning.

Staying safe in the water

As temperatures rise people are cooling off in water spots across the UK. Make sure you know the risks of drowning and how to help in an emergency.

First aid for drowning
Woman cools down on a hot day with a bottle of water

First aid for heatwaves

Learn first aid tips for common health problems during heatwaves. 

First aid during a heatwave

Safety advice for UK wildfires and drought

Standing in front of woods blackened by fire with their backs to the camera, an Australian Red Cross volunteer puts his arm around a woman as she lowers her head.

UK wildfires safety advice 

Wildfires have become more frequent, widespread and intense in the UK. Here's how to protect yourself and loved ones.

Read wildfire advice
An image showing a dried reservoir.

UK drought safety advice

Increasing temperatures and less rainfall means that the UK is more at risk of drought. Here's how to prepare.

Read drought advice

Heatwaves in Europe and around the globe

Eastern and southern Europe experienced record-high temperatures during the summer of 2023 as multiple heatwaves hit the continent. Spain, France, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, and Croatia all experienced temperatures above 40 degrees in July, with parts of Italy reaching 48 degrees, setting new European records. Wildfires have also been a problem, with the Greek islands of Corfu, Rhodes, and the Algarve in Portugal particularly affected.

If you are traveling to Europe or other parts of the world, it's important to be aware of the dangers of extreme heat. You can follow our advice on spotting heat stroke symptoms,  staying cool during a heatwave, and what to do in the event of a wildfire.

Always check travel advice from the UK government before traveling and make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover any medical emergencies. You may also want to familiarise yourself with how to access medical support in the country you are visiting in case of an emergency.

Heatwaves and climate change

Heatwaves are just one example of how the climate crisis is increasing extreme weather in the UK and around the world. Learn more about how we're supporting those affected.

Close-up shot of a male construction worker wiping the sweat from his forehead with his arm while holding his construction hat

What is a heatwave?

Understand the meaning of a heatwave, as well as the impact extreme heat can have on our lives.

What is a heatwave
Storm brewing over field in the UK

Explore the science of extreme weather and climate change

With flooding, storms and even tornados hitting UK shores this year, Hayley Jones from the Met Office explores the link between extreme weather and a changing climate.

The science of extreme weather and climate change
A street with cars and furniture that has been swept there by a flood and is covered in mud.

The climate crisis

In the UK and around the world, the Red Cross is united to support people affected by climate change. 

Action on climate change

Hot weather advice in different languages

Hot weather checklists in different languages