00:00Well, Tim joins us now on an absolute scorcher of a day.
00:05You must be sweltering in that black suit.
00:10Yeah, I've not chosen the best outfit for today.
00:13The UK Health Security Agency actually issued a yellow heat warning earlier this week.
00:18This has now been updated to amber as of 2pm today.
00:21That's set to stay in place until 5pm on Monday the 27th.
00:25And it covers Kent and London and even parts of the Midlands.
00:30This alert, as I say, is in place until 5pm on Monday,
00:34with temperatures expected to reach upwards of 31 degrees,
00:37which even for the bank holiday weekend is pushing it a bit far.
00:41Temperatures will peak on Friday and Saturday,
00:43with the south-east of England seeing temperatures reaching the mid to high 20s.
00:48Most likely maximum temperature on Friday and Saturday, 28 Celsius.
00:53But there's a 20% chance that somewhere in the south-east,
00:57most likely London, will get 30 Celsius.
01:00Lots of high temperatures there from the Met Office.
01:03What can people do to stay safe during the sunshine?
01:10Well, it's recommended that you continue to drink fluids wherever possible,
01:14carry water whenever you travel,
01:15and apply sunscreen over SPF 30 whenever you get a chance.
01:20You should also make sure you don't leave vulnerable people locked in parked cars,
01:24such as children, for example, or the elderly,
01:27and those with underlying health conditions.
01:29The officials warn that for health and social care services,
01:34they could be stretched to the limit.
01:36But it's not just vulnerable people that will be impacted by this, is it, Tim?
01:44No, the other big group that will be affected is actually our beloved pets,
01:47and actually Maisie Walker has been finding out
01:50about exactly how the weather can affect them.
01:53Temperatures are expected to reach 26 degrees this week and into the next,
01:57but this is raising some concerns over our animal friends at home.
02:00How are we supposed to keep them safe during these hot conditions?
02:03So, the risk for animals with pre-existing health conditions,
02:07particularly those which affect the heart and the lungs,
02:09they are significantly more likely to experience heat-related illness.
02:13In terms of symptoms to look out for,
02:16things such as excessive panting, drooling, weakness, noisy breathing,
02:22and in the most severe circumstances, collapse will occur.
02:26We have a five-second hand test,
02:29and if you lay the palm of your hand on the pavement for five seconds,
02:32if it's too hot for your hand,
02:34then it is too hot for an animal's paws.
02:37So, we do sadly see incidents of burns on the bottom of the feet.
02:42When I was in Rochester,
02:43many residents weren't even aware a heat wave was on the way.
02:47I spoke to them to find out whether they were concerned
02:49about how the rising temperatures could affect their pets and other animals.
02:54I am a massive cat person, like, I have a rescue cat,
02:57so I'm very much aware of, you know, keeping animals cool,
02:59and when I see people walking dogs midday, I'm always like, ooh.
03:02I live in a top-floor flat, for one,
03:05and the heat, just because it's old and has a slated roof,
03:07it's just really hot all the time, it's like a greenhouse.
03:10And even when you come out, there's some relief, but...
03:13And then there's my dog as well,
03:15obviously, she's a French-born dog and she struggles in the heat.
03:19We've had horses and dogs all my life,
03:20so you know how to look after the animals in the summer,
03:23keep the dogs in, literally just on the grass,
03:25carry them onto the grass, put them back indoors again,
03:29wouldn't let them on the pavement.
03:30And horses, same thing, fly sheets on, keep them in,
03:33turn them out at night.
03:34It's important to give your pets plenty of water,
03:37access to shade and protection from the hottest parts of the day
03:40as this heat wave comes into full force.
03:43Maisie Walker for KNTV, Rochester.
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