Heatwave health alert extended into Friday

A red health alert for extreme heat has been extended for the West Midlands.

The warning, which was in place from 09:00 BST on Wednesday until 21:00 on Thursday, will now be in place until 23:00 on Friday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

Other regions of England remain under an amber alert for the same period.

UKHSA said its alert indicated the heatwave could have an impact beyond health and social care, and potentially affect transport systems, food, water, energy supplies and businesses, and that there was a risk to life for even the healthy population.

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) said people often underestimated just how dangerous hot weather could be, particularly for older people and young children.

As well as the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, it said the hot weather also worsened existing health conditions.

Cooling off also brings its own dangers, and WMAS urged people to be careful around open water in the hot weather.

It said its crews had attended more than 50 incidents of drowning in all since 1 May - three of them fatal.

With temperatures expected to rise even higher on Thursday, WMAS said it expected the heatwave to have an impact across all health and social care services.

The ambulance service said it would be putting additional staff on shift, because it expected an increase in demand.

It has issued the following advice:

• Drink plenty of water and fluids throughout the day. Avoid excessive alcohol and limit caffeine

• Keep your skin cool using water, damp cloths or cool showers

• Wear sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when outdoors

• Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothing such as cotton or linen

• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day

• Stay out of direct sunlight between 11:00 and 15:00 whenever possible

• Keep homes cool by closing blinds, curtains and windows during the day and opening windows overnight when temperatures fall

• Check regularly on elderly relatives, vulnerable neighbours and anyone living alone

• Never enter open water such as lakes and rivers unless there's a lifeguard present

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.