I’M SURE we all love the sunshine, but I’d like to remind your readers about the importance of being ready for the summer heat as it can catch us by surprise.

The most important thing to do is make sure you drink lots of fluid – even if you aren’t thirsty. Aim for six to eight glasses a day and more if it’s hot.

If you usually rely on drinks with caffeine in them, such as tea, coffee or cola limit these and have water, fruit juice or decaf drinks instead. Avoid alcohol as it can make dehydration worse.

It’s also important to make sure you don’t spend long periods sitting or working outside during the hottest time of the day which tends to be late morning to mid-afternoon.

Avoid strenuous activity during hot weather and limit activities like housework and gardening to the early morning or evening when it’s cooler and wear loose, lightweight, light-coloured, cotton clothing.

When inside, try to stay in the coolest parts of your home and keep your curtains and blinds closed in rooms that catch the sun.

Keep windows shut while it’s cooler inside than out and open them when it gets hotter inside.

Age Cymru Advice can send you a free information leaflet called Staying Cool in Heatwave – top tips to keep you cool when it’s very hot which you can order by calling freephone 08000 223 444.

Age Cymru works nationally and locally through its network of independent local Age Cymru partners.

Age Cymru is committed to achieving an age friendly Wales where older people have equal rights to respect, opportunities and the same access to services as the rest of the population.

Angharad Phillips

Health initiatives officer

Age Cymru