UKHSA Heat Alert and Update on Guidance, including support for vulnerable neighbours.

Given expectations of a prolonged heatwave followed by heavy rain this is to update the previous (June) Heat and Fire Safety Neighbourhood Alert in the light of the latest UKHSA Heat alert for London.   

The NHS guidance Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather has links to the guidance from Central Government Beat the heat: staying safe in hot weather. 

Lambeth Council has a page on Extreme weather resilience | Lambeth Council with a wealth of links, covering how to keep yourself and your home cool, preparing for hot weather, saying safe outdoors and in storms, looking after others and more. 

London Fire Brigade recently recorded its busiest day for emergency calls in 2026  including compost, roof garden and grass fires. Do read what else they attended.  

Disposable BBQs can retain heat for many hours, even after being put out, Avoid having BBQs on a balcony or near a fence or garden shed. See  BBQ Safety

To support parents and guardians speaking to children about the dangers of open water, the Brigade has launched an inter-active Water Safety Map covering 1500 call outs and 112 accidental drowning  since 2002.  See also Water Safety .

You are reminded of the added risk if mobile phones, e-bike and scooters are charged in direct sunlight, see Batteries and chargers - Fire safety at home. Note also the risks to wifi routers from overheating. 

Overall there is an added need for Neighbourhood Watch participants to also keep an eye open for vulnerable neighbours and ensure they are registered for priority attention in the event of disruption. 

This is the link to LFB Caring for vulnerable people. This is the link for Priority services| Get extra help | Thames Water  .  To arrange advice and support with regard to the electricity or gas supply you can use the Priority Services Register (PSR) . 

The Lambeth Neighbourhood Watch development team will have a stall at the next Team Lambeth Volunteer Fair (Saturday 11th July, West Norwood Library) 11.00 – 14.00 to meet those with whom we could and should be working to help support the most vulnerable on your street. It would be helpful if you could reply to this Alert If you plan to attend the Fair and/or visit us on the stall.