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Hot weather in schools and nurseries: UKHSA advice for staff

UKHSA has specific guidance for teachers and early years staff on looking after children during hot weather. The assistant can explain warning signs, first aid steps and practical measures for classrooms and playgrounds.

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Answers are written by a language model solely from this base's documents, with numbered sources. They can be wrong and aren't legal, medical or financial advice: check the sources before any important decision.

Recognising heat illness in children

Children can be at risk because of their physiology, behaviour and activity levels, especially those under 5 or with health conditions or certain medications. The most common risks are dehydration and sunburn, and dark urine or dry nappies may indicate dehydration.

Heat exhaustion can bring tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting and pale, clammy skin: move the child somewhere cool, give cool water and cool them quickly, and contact NHS 111 if concerned. Heatstroke is a medical emergency: signs include confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness and a body temperature of 40°C or above. Call 999 and cool the child while waiting.

Outdoors and in the classroom

Children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days. Uniform rules should be relaxed, especially during amber or red alerts, with loose light-coloured clothing and wide-brimmed sunhats. Sunscreen of at least SPF 30 with a UVA rating of 4 stars or more should be applied generously and reapplied every 2 hours.

Indoors, the guidance suggests opening windows early in the morning, closing them when it is hotter outside than inside, shading sun-facing windows and switching off equipment rather than leaving it on standby. Timetables can be adjusted, and the guidance presents these as ways to manage heat without closing the school.

Spotting heat stress early

Heat-related illness ranges from mild heat stress to potentially life-threatening heatstroke. A child suffering from heat stress may seem out of character or show discomfort and irritability, and these signs worsen with physical activity.

If sensible precautions are taken, the guidance says children are unlikely to be adversely affected by hot conditions. Staff are encouraged to provide plenty of water, encourage children to drink more than usual and eat normally, and keep them in the shade outdoors as much as possible.

Frequently asked questions

Should schools sign up to Weather-Health Alerts?

Yes. The guidance says those who manage or work in schools or early years settings should sign up to receive Weather-Health Alerts from UKHSA and the Met Office. These alerts underpin the Adverse Weather and Health Plan.

Are fans useful in a hot classroom?

Oscillating mechanical fans can increase air movement if temperatures are below 35°C. Above that temperature, the guidance says they may be counterproductive.

What should staff do if a child has a fit or loses consciousness in the heat?

Place the child in the recovery position, call 999 immediately and follow their instructions. Where a child has complex health conditions, advice should be sought from their clinical team and shared with staff.

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