NORTH Wales has enjoyed baking temperatures this week as some parts soared to 30C – but the weather can be too much for some.

An extreme heat warning had been issued as a heatwave hit the UK, the first by the Met Office as people were urged to take care.

Dr Will Lang, Head of Civil Contingencies at the Met Office, said: “Extreme heat has obvious potential consequences health in the UK, especially for vulnerable groups, but continued impacts around transport infrastructure, energy consumption and coastal areas will also inform when extreme heat warnings are issued.”

The stunning weather will come as good news to many, especially as Covid restrictions are easing and families are opting for ‘Staycations’ – but to others, this news will not be so welcoming.

As well as battling hay fever and allergies, heat exhaustion is one to keep an eye n this summer.

Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes, but if it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

The NHS signs of heat exhaustion include:

• a headache

• dizziness and confusion

• loss of appetite and feeling sick

• excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin

• cramps in the arms, legs and stomach

• fast breathing or pulse

• a high temperature of 38C or above

• being very thirsty

The symptoms are often the same in adults and children, although children may become floppy and sleepy.

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, they need to be cooled down.

You can cool someone down by lying them down and raising their feet slightly, drinking plenty of water, cooling the skin and moving to a cool place.

Signs of heatstroke – call 999 if:

  • You are feeling unwell after 30 minutes of resting and drinking plenty of water
  • Not sweating even whilst feeling hot
  • A high temperature of 40C or above
  • Shortness of breath/feeling confused
  • Seizure/loss of consciousness
  • Not responsive

Preventing heat exhaustion and heatstroke

• drink plenty of cold drinks, especially when exercising

• take cool baths or showers

• wear light-coloured, loose clothing

• sprinkle water over skin or clothes

• avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm

• avoid excess alcohol

• avoid extreme exercise

This will also prevent dehydration and help your body keep itself cool.

It is not just humans who suffer in the sun as dogs can suffer fatal heatstroke within minutes.

Dogs should stay well hydrated and not be taken out for a walk in the hot weather.

Dogs are more at risk of heatstroke because they cannot sweat through their skin and rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose.

There are several signs of heatstroke in dogs which include heavy panting and excessively drooling and dogs appearing lethargic, drowsy, uncoordinated, collapsing, or vomiting.

If you think a dog is suffering from heatstroke, move them to a cool place immediately and wet their coat with cool, but not freezing, water and allow them to drink small amounts of water.

Once cool, take your dog to the nearest vets as a matter of urgency.

However, the warm weather is unlikely to last as a yellow weather warning for rain has been issued – which includes over Wrexham.

This will be in force from early on Saturday to midnight on Sunday.

Across the warning area, heavy thundery showers are expected to break out over the course of the weekend, especially on Sunday when these could be widespread and torrential in places.