UK heatwave: Five crucial ways to keep your child safe in 37C scorcher

UK heatwave: Five crucial ways to keep your child safe in 37C scorcher Temperatures have threatened 37C today as Britain's record-breaking June heatwave gets even warmer — and experts are reminding parents how to keep children safe in hot temperatures Experts have shared key tips on keeping your children safe in hot weather as the heatwave approaches its sweltering peak. Britain has recorded its hottest June day ever today as temperatures topped 36.4C in Yeovilton, Somerset - smashing a record that was set only yesterday when a 50-year monthly high was broken. A red weather warning for extreme heat has now been extended into Friday for Southeast England, with the mercury now forecast to soar to 37C in some areas. It's sparked new warnings over the particular health risks to children during heatwaves — including from swimming, physical activity and simply being exposed to the hot weather. A 15-year-old boy is feared dead after going missing as he went swimming in a lake in Hampshire last night. Top tips for keeping your children safe during the heatwave When temperatures are above 30C, it's important to think about not just what your child will be doing during the day, but the type of environment they'll be doing it in. Prolonged exposure to heat and sun without shade and water runs the risk of heat stroke, dehydration and hyperthermia. Dr Raquel Nunes, of the University of Warwick, explained: "What actually makes a child vulnerable is the situation around them; whether there's a cool space, water and an adult paying attention, and whether they're being pushed into hard physical activity in the heat." Here are five top tips to keep them safe: - Provide a cool environment: Ensure children have access to shaded or adequately cooled indoor spaces to help regulate their body temperature. - Keep them hydration: There should be plenty of fresh drinking water readily available and encourage them to drink frequently. - Supervise them closely: Make sure a responsible adult is actively paying attention to the children and monitoring them for any signs of heat stress. - Limit physical activity: Avoid pushing children into hard physical activity, sports, or strenuous games while it is uncomfortably hot. - Be ready to change plans: Be flexible with school or daily routines, making reasonable adjustments to schedules based on how hot the specific building or environment actually gets. Parents and teachers urged to talk to children about deadly water dangers This month, the Mirror launched its Save Lives for Sam campaign calling for urgent action to stop children drowning after 19 people died in water-related incidents in one week during the record-breaking heatwave from May 24 to 31. It's named after Sam Haycock, who tragically died aged 16 after he jumped from a bridge into the water and drowned at Ulley Reservoir, Rotherham, on May 28, 2021. His parents have since dedicated their lives to educating young people about the dangers of water. From September, it will be compulsory to teach water safety education in Relationships and Sex and Health Education (RSHE) lessons under the school curriculum. Guidance says children must be taught to “recognise risk and keep safe around” water, as well as knowing the water safety code. But Ms Phillipson has told teachers caregivers "please don’t delay" advising children on water safety before the summer holidays amid heartbreaking water-related deaths in recent weeks. She told The Mirror: "No parent should ever have to experience the unimaginably awful loss of a child, and I pay huge tribute to those now turning heartbreak into action, including Sam Haycock’s parents as part of the Mirror’s brilliant Save Lives for Sam campaign. "From September, it'll be compulsory for young people to learn about water safety, but given the hot weather we've got at the moment, and the tragic loss of life that we've seen in recent weeks, it's more important than ever that young people understand water safety. "I'd encourage schools and teachers to share this with young people, to share materials with families. The lesson plans and resources are out there already for teachers to use – whether it’s the Float to Live toolkit from the RNLI or the National Water Safety framework. My ask of schools is please don’t delay. Save Lives for Sam today."