THE Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to take precautions ahead of the hot weather forecast for this week.
Temperatures in Wales have already hit 31°C with the warm spell likely to last beyond the weekend.
Warm weather generates an increase in calls to people with breathing difficulties, and with 999 demand already high, and Covid-19 infections continuing to rise, the Trust is asking the public to take extra precautions to reduce pressure on the service.
Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Executive Director of Operations, said: “We had almost 2,000 calls to 999 on Sunday alone, which is roughly one call every minute.
“We expect demand to remain high with the increase in temperature, so we need the public’s help to ensure that the pressures we face are not exacerbated by the weather.
“Hot weather means your body has to work harder to keep its core temperature to normal levels, and this puts extra strain on your heart, lungs and kidneys.
“This means that you can be at greater risk if you have a pre-existing heart or respiratory condition, like asthma or angina.
“It’s really important to keep cool and stay hydrated, and if you’re out and about, please look after yourself and those with you.
“If you do fall victim to the sun, take one of our NHS 111 Wales symptom checkers for bites and stings, breathing difficulties, hay fever and sunburn – it’ll help you determine the best course of action.”
