A yellow heat-health alert has been issued across the South, with vulnerable people being warned to take extra care as temperatures rise.
The alert comes into force at midday on Saturday, 4 July, and will remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday, 8 July.
The heat-health alert has been given a risk score of seven, with the impact classed as low and the likelihood rated as medium.
Health officials say minor impacts are likely across health and social care services during the alert period. This could include increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, as well as a greater risk to life for those most at risk during hot weather.
People who are elderly, very young, living with long-term health conditions, or who struggle to keep cool indoors are among those being urged to take precautions.
There is also concern that indoor environments could become very warm, particularly in homes, care settings and other buildings that are difficult to keep cool.
Residents are being advised to drink plenty of fluids, avoid the strongest sun during the hottest part of the day, close curtains in rooms facing the sun, and check in on elderly relatives, neighbours and friends.
The alert also comes with a warning about water safety. Officials say water-related incidents may increase during hot weather, including the risks of cold-water shock and drowning.
People heading to beaches, rivers, lakes or other open water are being reminded that even when the air feels warm, the water can still be cold enough to cause a sudden shock to the body.
The advice is to enter water slowly, swim only where it is safe to do so, and avoid jumping into unknown or unsupervised water.
The yellow alert is the lowest level of heat-health warning, but officials say it is still important for people to take sensible steps to protect themselves and others.
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