23/06/2026
TIPS FOR KEEPING COOL IN HOT WEATHER 🔥
When inside you should:
turn off lights and appliances not in use as they generate heat
close windows that face the sun during the day, and open them at night when the temperature drops
close curtains in rooms that get morning or afternoon sun
sprinkle water over your skin, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck
use an electric fan (but only if the temperature is below 35 degrees)
When outside you should:
avoid going out during the hottest part of the day if possible (11am to 3pm)
wear light and loose-fitting clothing that covers your skin
wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses
regularly apply a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) water-resistant sunscreen to skin that is not covered, using factor 30+ for adults and 50+ for children
stay in the shade
Drink plenty of fluids
Adults need about 2 litres of water over 24 hours (may be less for smaller people or those with medical conditions)
Drink more fluids when you feel any dehydration symptoms. The best fluids to drink are water or oral rehydration sachets (ask your pharmacist about how to use these safely)
Drink enough during the day so your urine (p*e) is a pale clear colour
Helping a person under your care drink enough
A person you're caring for may not have a sense of how much they're drinking.
You can help them by:
making sure they drink during mealtimes
make drinking a social thing, like 'having a cup of tea'
offer food with a high water content such as ice cream, jelly, fruits like melon
Health advice for health and care professionals
Service providers with a duty of care to their clients, as well as those working with vulnerable groups, need to be aware of the effects and increased demands that come with a heatwave.
Health advice for health and care professionals - hse.ie
When to get medical help
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke - hse.ie
Dehydration
Dehydration means that your body does not have enough fluid. If it's not treated, it can become a serious problem.
Dehydration - hse.ie
Related content
Severe weather
To keep our employees safe during severe weather, we must plan ahead. It is also important that we do this so that we can continue to provide health services.
Severe weather - what managers need to do
