Quote:
Originally Posted by Suenneil
Browsing the Guardian online this morning (for work purposes!) and this was on the front page. Ive copied the first paragraph but also added the link to the full article underneath.
Is this nanny state gone bananas ? or is it justified ? Do citizens of the UK need such warnings in order to carry on safely with their lives ? Issuing and OFFICAL HEATWAVE Warning ... putting all emergency services on alert! I could maybe understand it if the temperatures were hitting 40! but 30 isnt that scarey is it?? If it were I would never leave my apartment between June and September! In fact thats a good idea ... I may take some time off work as this heat in Spain is surely bad for my health!
Sue x 
An official heatwave health warning will be issued tomorrow morning, meaning that schools, hospitals, local authorities and social services must take action to avoid casualties, unless temperatures plummet tonight.
London and much of the south-east has already sweltered through two days where temperatures topped 30C, and tonight temperatures in the low 20s are expected in many areas. The lowest temperature anywhere in the Greater London area on Monday night was 18C.
Official heatwave likely to be declared as UK temperatures soar | UK news | guardian.co.uk |
Well, for anyone with half a brain, of course it appears Nanny State - as intelligent adults we assume we know the necessary precautions to take.....however, I agree with the health warnings in the UK - some people don't take care in hot weather and some parents aren't aware (or just can't be bothered) about the necessity for sun care and hydration of their children. It is absolutely essential that schools and local authorities are aware of those most vulnerable. It's a paradox in my mind, that kids on a beach in the UK are usually well covered up, but rarely at, for example, the park, family bbq, etc where they are in just as much danger....obviously school playgrounds as well. There was an incentive at my children's last school in the UK where each child was given a water bottle for example, to counteract the effects of dehydration (and apparently concentration levels improved as a result). They were also made to wear a baseball cap on sunny days. Employers need to be aware and ensure that their workers get frequent breaks and re-hydrate - if working outside, very frequently they should go and cool down. It's very easy to get heatstroke - and that can be fatal. It doesn't require temperatures of 40 degrees plus - much lower in fact.
It's worth bearing in mind that the not usually tanned Brit will succumb to much lower temperatures and much less sun than the mahogany skinned southern European. Take a look at your average Spanish tractor driver when he takes his top off - looks like he's wearing a white t-shirt underneath!!!
Tally.x