UK drivers urged to add 1 item to their car by Saturday

With temperatures set to reach up to 30C in the copming days, UK drivers are being urged to add one item to their vehicle to keep themselves safe. The most recent Met Office UK forecast, predicts temperatures are set to rise over the weekend, with some areas of the UK reaching 32C and 34C by Monday and Tuesday next week.

Certain locations in the south and southeast of England are also under an amber heat health alert until 8pm on June 23, with the government warning there is likely to be a significant impact on health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions during the hot weather.

The warning states: “Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including: a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.

“There may also be impacts on younger age groups, likely increased demand on all health and social care services and internal temperatures in care settings may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment.”

The warning added that the heat may also affect the ability of the workforce, see indoor environments overheat and cause issued managing medicines.

Official guidance for warm weather warns that compact, confined spaces, such as stationary vehicles, can heat up rapidly. It also advises that infants, youngsters, older people, and animals should never be left alone in vehicles or other enclosed spaces.

What item should UK drivers add to their vehicles to stay safe in hot weather?

However, people are also being warned about how to keep themselves safe if they must travel in a vehicle during a heatwave, with experts urging drivers to add one thing to their vehicle. To combat the heat, drivers should ensure that they carry water and soft drinks with them for every trip as staying hydrated is important.

RAC said: “Keep a spare bottle of water and one or two soft drinks in your car at all times. Dehydration can impact your concentration and awareness levels, presenting a danger to drivers in hot weather conditions.”

Dehydration, according to the NHS, means your body loses more fluids than you take in. If it’s not treated, it can get worse and become a serious problem.

Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include:

• Feeling thirsty
• Headache and feeling light-headed
• Dark yellow, strong-smelling pee
• Peeing less often than usual
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Feeling tired
• A dry mouth, lips and tongue
• Sunken eyes

You need to ensure you’re drinking enough throughout the day. In the Eatwell Guide, the government recommends people aim to drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day.

How to keep your car cool during a heatwave?

The RAC also share that you can try other things to keep your car cooler, and to keep safe in the sunshine. You can park in the shade so the sun is not beating down on your car the whole time you park it up.

Cover the seats with a blanket so you don’t get a nasty surprise when you get back in the car, and you can simply remove the blanket, and then get in and drive without burning your bum. Use your car’s air conditioning system to its full potential. Make sure that you’ve read the user manual so you can utilise it.