Heatwave alert reaches level three

With the daytime temperatures continuing to romp on, and - more importantly - very high night-time temperatures, the UK Met Office has now declared a Level Three alert for London and the south east. The temperatures are expected to be even higher on Thursday than today.

Level three means that the medical services are automatically on a higher level of standby. 

Measures to take include avoiding unnecessary travel. If you have to go out, try not to go out between 11.00am and 3.00pm. Obviously, this isn't do-able if you're working - my friend T tells me London is currently unbearable - something between an oven and a sauna.

Remember to keep doors and windows closed if the internal temperature is lower than the external temperature. Draw your curtains if they are white or light-coloured (if they're dark, keep them open or you'll only make things worse). 

Watch out for heat exhaustion in these temperatures. Symptoms include:

* headaches

* dizziness

* nausea and vomiting

* muscle weakness or cramps

* pale skin

* high body temperature.

If this happens, move somewhere cool and drink plenty of water or fruit juice. If you can, take a lukewarm shower, or sponge yourself down with cold water.

Be aware that heatstroke can develop if heat exhaustion is left untreated.