Avoid alcohol in heatwave, says ambulance service

The director of 999 operations at London Ambulance Service (LAS) has asked people to "avoid alcohol" or "take plenty of fluids along with alcohol" in the heatwave to avoid needing their care.

Stuart Crichton told BBC London: "Summer has arrived early, we've seen our busiest day in the last 12 months as we get into the amber heat warning.

"We're asking the public to stay safe in the heat, drink plenty of fluids, avoiding alcohol, and stay out of the sun between 11:00 and 15:00."

Temperatures are expected to reach 33C (91F) on Monday and Tuesday, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its first amber heat-health alert of 2026, which is in place until Wednesday.

UKSHA said the alert means that high temperatures may put vulnerable people at increased risk and reminding health and social care services to prepare for further alerts over the summer as temperatures rise.

Crichton said: "We see a variety of conditions in the heat, and certainly at the start of the season, this summer has come early this year, and so it's catching people out in that it's suddenly much hotter than people have been used to over the last few months."

He said LAS was helping people with "a variety of conditions from pre-existing conditions that are exacerbated by the heat or just indeed enjoying the sun and drinking too much".

Crichton said people who are concerned or require urgent care are advised to dial 111 or use 111 online and for life-threatening emergencies call 999.

He added: "It's really important that we check in on those who are vulnerable, specifically over 65 of pre-existing conditions."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk