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Date updated: 18/08/2025

Many of us look forward to the lighter, warmer summer days, however hot weather and the sun can lead to ill health for some.

There are important considerations for our health and wellbeing that are helpful to remember when we’re enjoying the nicer weather.

Some of us are more vulnerable to heat-related issues than others, including:

  • Older people, especially those aged over 75
  • Babies and young children
  • People living on their own
  • People with a serious or long-term illness, or with a drug or alcohol addiction
  • Those who may find it hard to keep themselves cool, people who are bed-bound or who have serious mental health conditions
  • People who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places, for example if they work outside or live in a top-floor flat
  • Pets 

Top tips for coping in hot weather

Here are some things that you can do to stay on top of the hot weather and protect yourself and others from heat exhaustion, sunburn, and dehydration.

Keep out of the heat

  • Make plans at cooler times of the day and avoid the sun between 11am to 3pm where possible
  • Wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and light clothes 
  • Avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter
  • Avoid sitting in stationary cars and other enclosed spaces

Cool yourself down

  • Have cold food and drinks
  • Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and hot drinks - find our clean water refill points on our City map
  •  Have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes
  • Seek shade and go indoors or outdoors, whichever is coolest - find cool spaces on our City map and the Cool Spaces London map.

Keep your living space cool

  • Close blinds and curtains at home during the day
  • Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down
  • Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep
  • Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. However, it is important to avoid aiming the fan directly at your body, as this can lead to dehydration 

Travelling in London during hot weather 

  • Carry water with you at all times to stay hydrated
  • Consider retiming your journeys to less busy times where possible

Prepare

How to cool down if you or someone else has symptoms of heat exhaustion

  • Move to a cooler place such a room with air conditioning or somewhere in the shade
  • Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks
  • Drink cool water, a sports rehydration drink, or eat cold and water rich foods like ice-lollies
  • Apply cool water by spray or sponge to exposed skin, and using cold packs wrapped in cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck can also help

Call NHS 111 if you are worried about ill health or 999 in an emergency.

More information is available on Gov.uk's Beat the Heat and the NHS website.

Square Mile cool spaces

During the summer months, heatwaves are becoming more common across London. Temperatures are higher than ever before which has an impact on City workers, residents, and visitors.

The Greater London Authority map sites across the capital where people can go to stay cool and avoid the heat.

If your organisation is interested in registering as a cool space in the Square Mile, more information on requirements and how to sign up can be found in the cool spaces one pager below.

Find out how we are reducing the effects of climate change with our ambitious Climate Action Strategy.

Cool spaces one pager PDF (1MB)
Date submitted: 31/07/25

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