The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued a yellow heat-health alert for Shropshire and the West Midlands more generally. The alert continues until Tuesday 23 June. Health experts across the county are advising people to stay safe and well during the hot weather.
Shropshire Council’s Stay Safe and Well this Summer webpages offer a host of advice for people young and old, to help keep cool and hydrated throughout the hot weather.
The website also provides advice and information on home and personal safety, and signposts people to other summer-related advice including:
- Summer health – NHS advice on how to stay well throughout the summer months
- Heatwave advice – advice to ensure the hot weather doesn’t harm you or anyone you know
- Insect bites and stings – tips and advice on what do if you’re stung or bitten by an insect
- Skin care – advice on being ‘sun smart’ and help reduce the risk of skin cancer
- Leisure safety – information and advice on water safety, camping and fireworks.
Health experts across the county are advising people to stay safe and well during the hot weather. (Image: UK Health Security Agency)
Why is a heatwave a problem?
The main risks posed by a heatwave are:
- Not drinking enough water (dehydration)
- Overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing
- Heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Tips for coping in hot weather
- Look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions
- close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler, and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
- drink plenty of water as sugary, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks can make you more dehydrated
- never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
- try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm
- take care and follow local safety advice, if you are going into the water to cool down
- walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, if you have to go out in the heat
- avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
- wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes
- make sure you take water with you if you are travelling.
River safety
On a hot day, it might seem like a great idea to cool down in open water. However, it is strongly advised to stay out of the water as there are too many risks that you can’t see hidden below the surface. Here are some tips to stay safe:
- Take notice of warning and guidance signs – water conditions are constantly changing
- Swim parallel with the shore, rather than away from it, and avoid drifting in currents
- Get out of the water as soon as you start to feel cold
- Alcohol and swimming should never be mixed
- If walking or running keep away from the water’s edge and from people not from your household, and supervise youngsters at all times
- Don’t use airbeds at open locations where they may be carried into deeper water and may not stay afloat
- Don’t swim near weirs, locks, pipes and sluices
- Only enter water where there is adequate supervision and rescue cover
- Wear recommended safety equipment – for example life jackets/helmets for canoeing
- Don’t jump/dive into open water unless you are sure of the depth and that there are no submerged hazards
- Getting trained in first aid, rescue and resuscitation techniques could save a life
- Always keep children under the constant supervision of a capable adult and keep small children within arm’s reach.
Further Information
Yellow Heat-Health Alert for the West Midlands including Shropshire from UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office.
The yellow heat health alert is in effect from 12pm (18 June 2026) until 8 pm on 23 of June 2026 across the West Midlands.
The latest weather alerts can be obtained here.
If you suspect that you or someone that you’re with may have symptoms related to the hot weather, move yourself and them out of the sun and heat and drink plenty of water.
If symptoms don’t rapidly resolve, phone the emergency services on 111 or if severe then 999.
