Warning to parents: Keep your children safe in the heatwave

  • Temperatures set to soar to 33°C today
  • Parents warned to keep children safe in the sun
  • See pictures of Islanders enjoying the sunshine below

PARENTS are being urged to keep their children safe in the sun after temperatures were forecast to soar to up to 33°C today and were expected to remain high in the coming days.

Keep up to date with the latest weather forecast here

The hot weather has led to the Public Health Department issuing advice to Islanders on how to avoid sun stroke, with young people and the elderly most at risk of succumbing to the potentially fatal condition.

Jersey Met Office predict that the scorching temperatures will continue for the rest of the week, with the mercury rising to 28°C on Wednesday and 25°C on Thursday.

The UK is also set for warm temperatures with 30°C forecast for Wimbledon today.

Meanwhile, southern Europe is also facing a heatwave with temperatures of 43°C expected in southern Spain today.

Martin Knight, head of health improvement: 'We all need to make sure we are looking out for each other across the board'

However, although the temperature soared to 25°C in Jersey yesterday some sea fog formed in the morning leading to the postponement of sailing and windsufing events for the NatWest Island Games at St Aubin’s Bay.

Martin Knight, head of health improvement with Public Health, today called on Islanders to take care in the sun by drinking plenty of water, wearing hats and sunglasses and moving into the shade, particularly between 11 am and 3 pm.

‘It is very simple and obvious advice,’ he added.

‘We all need to make sure we are looking out for each other across the board.

‘Make sure young people are getting regular drinks.

‘Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks, which dehydrate.

‘Look out for signs such as sweating a lot, headaches, feeling sick or dizzy and if you are feeling uncomfortable or see someone who is struggling, seek help early.’

He also urged those watching the Games to make sure that they protect themselves from the sun.

‘If you are a spectator of the Games make sure you are self-sufficient in terms of having plenty of drink, sunscreen and the appropriate clothing before you leave.

‘If you or someone looks like they might need help look out for the Games Makers in purple who will be able to assist.’

Mr Knight said that his department would be monitoring temperatures in the coming days and if the 30°C temperatures continue a health warning would be issued.

Steve Peat sent us this great photo that he took at St Ouen on Monday. If you take any good pictures of Jersey in the sunshine, you can send them to us via messenger on the JEP's Facebook page

  • The highest temperature ever recorded in Jersey was 36°C on 9 August 2003. T
  • The warmest year on record was 1989.
  • The lowest daytime temperature was -6.1°C on 12 January 1987 and the coldest year recorded was 1963, when St Ouen’s Pond froze enough for people to ride bikes across. The same year, the water in St Aubin’s Harbour also froze.
  • The wettest day, with 95.7 mm of rain, was 24 August 1931 and the windiest day was 9 October 1964, when the hourly mean wind speed recorded at Jersey Airport was 78.3 mph. The highest gust was 108.2 mph knots on the same day.

If your cat has a white nose or white ear tips, high factor sun cream will provide them with extra protection from the sun and help to decrease the risk of skin cancer.

During the summer months whilst the weather is particularly warm and sunny, it is important to consider the adverse effects that the heat may have on your pets.

  • Heat stroke in dogs is a common phenomenon in the hot weather. Affected animals pant heavily (trying to bring their body temperature down), they may collapse and can die if help is not quickly given. If you are faced with a situation in which you become concerned that your dog may be suffering from heat stroke, position the animal in the shade, offer access to fresh clean water, place cold wet towels over the animal and take it to a veterinary surgery immediately.
  • If your dog or cat has a white or pink coloured nose, or if your cat has white ear tips, high factor sun cream will provide your pet with extra protection from the sun and help to decrease the risk of skin cancer.
  • To help prevent heat stroke in dogs, try to walk dogs at dawn and dusk, therefore avoiding the midday sun when the sun is at its hottest and always remember to take fresh water for your dogs with you.
  • Never leave animals in parked vehicles, even for short periods of time, as the temperature within stationary vehicles, even with the windows open, can rise very dramatically and very quickly indeed.
  • All animals need daily exercise and access to appropriate shelter, daily clean, fresh drinking water and regular fresh food which is appropriate for that species of animal.
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