Kent's public health chief has issued a warning to vulnerable residents as a heatwave is expected to hit the county.

The level three hot weather alert has been triggered by a Met Office forecast of a 90% probability of severe heat in south east England, including Kent, from Monday through to Friday.

It is expected that daytime temperatures could reach above 30C over these days.

Kent County Council (KCC) is warning that high temperatures can be particularly concerning for vulnerable residents such as the old, the very young, and people with chronic or severe illness who could be at extra risk.

The council says that as most heat-related deaths occur in the first two days, it is important to make sure people are ready – and swift action can be taken to reduce harm from a potential heatwave.

Health experts are appealing to people to check on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.

Key advice includes keeping cool, staying hydrated and being prepared – for example, staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, drinking cold drinks regularly, such as water and avoiding tea, coffee and alcohol.

KCC's director of public health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said: “It’s the same common sense messaging as every summer but remains vital that people think carefully about what they need to do to protect themselves, their family and especially particularly vulnerable people from heat.

“For some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and those with young children, the summer heat can bring real health risks.

"So, if you can, take the opportunity to check in on those family members, friends and neighbours who might need extra assistance.”

Key advice in hot weather includes:

• Look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions.
• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
• Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm. Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat if you have to go out in the heat. Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day.
• Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.
• Take care and follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down.
• Wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes.
• If you are travelling, make sure you take water with you, check weather forecasts and traffic news.
• Plan ahead to make sure you have enough supplies, such as water, food and any medications you need.

KCC has published a list of steps it is taking to protect residents during the heatwave.

Health and social care professionals will identify people they care for who are at high risk and check on them regularly.

Care home managers and staff are looking out for people they care for who are at high risk and making changes to working arrangements and facilities to reduce the risk.

And teachers and child care workers are taking steps to protect children - keeping an eye out for the warning signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UK Health Service Agency, said: “Heat-health alerts have now been issued to the majority of the country, with temperatures set to remain consistently high throughout the duration of next week.

“Most of us can enjoy the hot weather when it arrives, but it is important to keep yourself hydrated and to find shade where possible when UV rays are strongest, between 11am and 3pm.

“If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, make sure they are aware of how they can keep themselves protected from the warm weather.”

The Met Office’s definition of a heatwave is when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures reaching or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold, which varies by county.

In such conditions, the Met Office issues a heat-health warning which gets sent on to health and social care professionals, so they can work to minimise the impact of the high temperatures on people’s health.

Meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: “We’re at the start of a potentially relatively long spell of warm weather for much of the UK away from the far North West where it’s likely to be a bit cooler and cloudier.”

She added: “For some areas, namely parts of the South West, this is probably the start of their heatwave, but for the more widespread heatwave threshold temperatures to be met it’s likely to be from Sunday, so Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.”

The hottest day of the year so far was during the last heatwave on June 17, less than three weeks ago, when a temperature of 32.7C (90F) was reached.

Ms Shuttleworth added that temperatures will “come close” to this year’s high in London and the South East at the start of next week.

The hot summer days are to also usher in hot and “sticky” nights, and Ms Shuttleworth urged Britons to “keep the curtains closed during the day, especially if you’ve got a south-facing bedroom” and “keep ventilation going around your house through the day”.

The warm weather looks to be settling in for some time to come, according to Met Office forecasting, with a chance that the UK could see one of the longest heatwaves ever.

Ms Shuttleworth said: “If we see over nine days of temperatures staying above 28 degrees then it would be the longest since 2018.”

She warned there was a lot of uncertainty around what temperatures will be seen after Thursday, but it is nonetheless likely that it will remain warmer than average for the month.

The average temperature for July is around 20C.

People are urged not to go to A&E or call 999 unless it’s an emergency. If in any doubt they are advised to contact NHS111 or to visit the NHS’ dedicated website – www.stopthinkchoose.co.uk – which lists local services, such as pharmacies and urgent treatment centres.

Useful information is also available at www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather

And more information about what KCC is doing to protect the people of Kent is available through www.kent.gov.uk/heatwave