Free Summer Hydration Camp
Published: 06/06/2017
We ran a free summer hydration camp at Welcome Change Community Centre on 30/05/2017. As part of the Camp free water bottles were distributed.
Older people, their families, friends and neighbours across Birmingham East are encouraged to think about staying hydrated this summer. Individuals have a moral duty to support vulnerable people who may be at risk, in any way they can, leading home care provider Bluebird Care Birmingham East has urged.
As the weather starts to get warmer and the sun starts to come out, Bluebird Care Birmingham East is sending out the strong message that heat and sun exposure is extremely serious and potentially life threatening – and is urging people in Birmingham to stay hydrated and prepare for the hotter days with some simple tips to stay safe in the sun.
Due to the soaring temperatures in July 2016 there were 1,661 deaths recorded in England & Wales, compared with a five year average of 1,267 (ONS, 2016). This highlights the danger of high temperatures and the importance of being prepared. Staying hydrated is essential particularly for those in high risk groups, such as babies, children and older people. Government recommendations suggest everyone should have around 6-8 glasses a day, which can be water or sugar free drinks (NHS Eatwell Guide, 2016).
Bluebird Care Birmingham East have launched their Summer Hydration initiative. As part of this they will be sharing tips across social media and sharing links to national resources to help ensure everyone is prepared for the hotter weather. We ran a free summer hydration camp at Welcome Change Community Centre Ownall Road Shard End B34 7AJ on 30/05/2017. As part of the Camp free water bottles were distributed. Also we auctioned a gift hamper for £20 and proceedings will be sent to Dementia society as Charity.
With the frequent and sudden changes in British weather Bluebird Care Birmingham East want to issue a reminder for people to get prepared for the hotter weather.
Tips from the NHS include:
- Keep your home cool by closing your blinds and curtains
- Avoid extreme heat where possible
- Stay hydrated with water, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks
- Stay alert by keeping up to date with weather forecasts
- Check on relatives and neighbours who may be most at risk
- If you need to go outside plan ahead, have plenty of food and water as well as sun protection (sun cream, sun hat and sunglasses)
- Avoid outings in the middle of the day, 11-3pm is the hottest part of the day.
(NHS Heatwave, 2016)
Sue Registered Manager of Bluebird Care Birmingham East said:
“Many vulnerable people feel lonely and isolated and we are often unaware of the real threat to life that extreme weather can cause to at risk groups.
“Staying hydrated in the summer months is vital as the sun can often catch us off guard, giving little time to take precautions against the heat. It’s important to start planning for the hotter weather now by taking simple precautions like making sure you are aware of the weather forecast, finding an hour to keep cool, speaking to your neighbours about coping with extreme heat and make sure you are drinking enough fluids.
“We are reaching out to the community in Birmingham to ensure that they keep in regular contact with their friends and neighbours to take precautions to stay safe this summer. If anyone would like further advice or are in need of home care over the summer, please contact the team at Bluebird Care Birmingham East
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- For more details on staying safe in the heat, please call the team at Bluebird Care Birmingham East on Tel: +44 (0)1213893500
- Bluebird Care is one of the UK’s leading national providers of care in the home, with over 200 offices around the UK delivering 20,000 visits to customers in their homes each day.
Advice provided by NHS Choices and the Office of National Statistics was active as of 27th April 2017.
