Posted on Sunday 17th July 2022
Victoria Wilson
Staffordshire residents are being urged to stay safe as the UK is set to reach record high temperatures over the next few days and check on older family and friends.
Temperatures in Staffordshire could peak at 30 degrees today, with a chance of highs of around 39 degrees tomorrow and 37 degrees on Tuesday.
This weekend, an appeal has been issued to parents of teenagers to remind their children of the dangers of swimming in unsupervised open water.
Visitors to the county council’s country parks are again reminded to be responsible, not to smoke in high-risk areas and dispose of rubbish properly to reduce fire risk. Barbecues and fires and not allowed at any country park.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for communities and culture Victoria Wilson said:
We’re now experiencing the predicted high temperatures which are expected to last over the next couple of days.
Together with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue service, we’re asking parents with teenage children to remind them of the dangers of swimming in unsupervised open water. We know many will have finished school or college and exams and be enjoying themselves. However cold-water shock and hidden hazards below the water surface can be fatal.
We’re likely to see more people visiting our country parks today and early into the week and would again remind them to act responsibly so we can reduce the risk of grass and heathland fires.
It’s advisable to stay out of the sun in the middle of the day and important to stay hydrated and apply high-factor sunscreen. We’d really appreciate people checking on family and friends who are older or have health conditions as we all get through the next few days.”
Staffordshire’s highways teams are monitoring road surfaces through the heatwave and are ready to act wherever surfaces are affected. Drivers are being urged to take extra care if they need to go out – check tyre pressure, oil levels and coolant systems and avoid glare by keeping windscreens clean. They should always carry plenty of water in case of breakdown.
People can visit: www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/your-safety/safety-outside for tips on water safety or for health and safety advice: www.nhs.uk/live-well