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Staying safe in extreme heat

This week we face extreme heat in London and a rare red heat-health warning – the highest level - tomorrow and Thursday.

Please stay safe. Extreme heat is a danger to us all and especially for the very old, young, and people with health conditions.

If you can, avoid being out between 11am and 3pm when UV levels are highest. Drink plenty of water and fluids and avoid excess alcohol.

You can find much more advice on our website and we also have free Cool Spaces where you can cool down, including most of our libraries. See below for more details.

It may be tempting to jump into water like docks or rivers, but don’t unless it is a designated swimming area – it is very dangerous. Cold water shock, currents and other hazards very sadly claimed lives across the UK in last month’s heatwave.

If your believe your workplace is too hot and not safe, and your employer won't take action, you can contact your trade union.

Fittingly, this week is London Climate Action Week and its theme is “don’t tell me climate change isn’t happening”. The message could not be more appropriate. Serious action on climate has never mattered more.

There are more free events this Saturday, including a clothes swap-shop at Surrey Quays, a repair café in Nunhead where you can get household items repaired for free, and much more.

Stay safe and take care.

Councillor James McAsh

Leader of Southwark Council

Heatwave advice and tips

Advice for staying safe

In a heatwave you can:

• keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• remember that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
• drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
• check that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly
• check medicines can be stored according to the instructions on the packaging
• know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and how to help someone struggling

If you are going out:

• try to avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm when UV levels are highest
• walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses
• avoid physical activity in the hottest parts of the day; check weather forecasts to see when it will be cooler
• take water with you if you are travelling
• never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals

Look out for people who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated including:

• older people
• people with underlying conditions
• people who live alone are particularly at risk 

If you are over 60 and need help to keep your home cool, or help with food or bills, contact Ageing Well Southwark on 020 7358 4077.

Cool Spaces across London

Cool Spaces are places you can go to cool down when you're out and about - including libraries, leisure centres and community centres. The London Cool Spaces Map has been updated for 2026 and contains information about these spaces, as well as locations of water refill points and shaded areas.

In Southwark all libraries are open as Cool Spaces, except Camberwell and Una Marson libraries which are closed until Friday.

 ater safety

Most open water is much colder than it looks, even when the weather is hot. Swimming in cold water can cause your body to go into shock, and is a key reason why people drown.

During the last heatwave there were tragic deaths across the country from drowning, so please do stop and think before entering any open water.

Never swim in rivers, lakes or docks in Southwark unless it is as part of an organised swimming session, or a place where swimming is specifically allowed.

People sleeping rough

If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough during this extreme heat - contact StreetLink to put them in touch with local services.

Changes to council services

During this week’s extreme heat there will be changes to some council services to help protect the health of frontline workers during very high temperatures. We will work to minimise disruption to you.

Household waste collections

During the heatwave, some household bin collections may be delayed to the following day. This is to protect our workforce from the impacts of extreme heat during the early afternoon. You do not need to report a missed collection unless your collection is delayed by more than one day.

Please make sure your bin is left available for collection until we return, and help crews by putting your bin out the night before so they can collect it early in the morning.

Street cleaning, estate cleaning and grounds maintenance

Street cleaning, estate cleaning and grounds maintenance teams will start work earlier where possible, and will finish at noon. Afternoon shifts providing street cleaning and estate cleaning will be suspended and staff from those shifts will join the morning shifts on Wednesday and Thursday.

Commercial waste collections will start earlier and will finish at noon. Any incomplete work will be cleared the following days until the backlog is cleared.

Market cleaning at East Street and Rye Lane, which normally starts at 4.30pm, will start at 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

Overall there will be more cleaning of town centres in the mornings, and less in the evenings on Wednesday and Thursday.

Adventure playgrounds and youth centres

All adventure playgrounds in Southwark will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. New Venture Youth Centre is closed on Wednesday and Thursday evening. Damilola Taylor Youth Centre is being monitored and may have to close on Wednesday and Thursday.