Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service shares advice to stay safe after amber heat-health alert issued across parts of England

Fire and rescue services are urging caution as temperatures are expected to soar over the coming days, writes Bella Cooke.

An amber heat-health alert has been issued, with temperatures predicted to rise above 30°C across the South-East of England.

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to take precautions.

Group Manager for RBFRS, Martyn Doolin, said: “The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency issued an Amber Heat-Health Alert this week covering several regions of England, including across Berkshire and the South-East.

“RBFRS are encouraging everyone to look after themselves and loved ones to help to reduce the number of emergency incidents caused by high temperatures.”

The emergency services advise people not to leave glass bottles lying on the ground and to extinguish and dispose of cigarettes properly.

Other ways to keep safe include avoiding bonfires or only lighting them in designated areas with buckets of water available.

Also, do not leave barbecues unattended and do not empty ashes into dustbins or wheelie bins, but onto bare garden soil instead.

Care should also be taken around open waters, as cold water shock and underwater currents can both be life threatening.

If you find yourself in trouble in the water, do not panic and float on your back until the effects of cold water shock pass. Then swim to the edge or call for help.

In an emergency, never enter the water to save someone. Instead, call 999 immediately and keep shouting “swim to me” to support their sense of direction and orientation.

The emergency services will need to know your location. Signs, bridge numbers and landmarks can be helpful in identifying a location.