Wokingham Borough Connect
An amber heatwave warning is in place for Sunday to Tuesday (17 to 19 July), with temperatures potentially reaching 35°C.
This means the extreme heat could lead to illness or risk to life. We’ve got tips below for keeping yourself and others safe in these predicted conditions.
Keep an eye Met Office forecasts for the latest updates on the weather.
 Waste collections to start earlier
Your waste and recycling collections will start an hour earlier at 5.30am from Monday (18 July) due to the ongoing heatwave. We hope an earlier start will protect crews from the extreme heat.
In order to avoid being missed, please put your waste and recycling out the night before your collection day next week.
We are monitoring the weather forecast and will continue this earlier start all week if high temperatures persist.
Check on the vulnerable around you
If you can during the next few days look out for those around you in your local area.
At-risk groups might not recognise their own vulnerability to high temperatures and may rely on the help of family, friends or those nearby. Some people may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated.
Groups to think about are:
- Older people, especially over 75 years of age
- Children, especially under 4 years of age
- Live alone and/or socially isolated
- Long-term health condition (particularly heart and breathing problems)
- On multiple medications
- Reduced mobility and/or ability to look after themselves
 Water safety, especially for young people
The increased temperatures increase the chance of people, especially younger people, entering lakes and rivers to keep cool.
Even on a warm summer’s day, you could experience fatal cold water shock. Cold water shock can cause a gasp reflex, causing you to swallow water and drown.
Think twice before swimming in open water such as rivers or lakes. You have no idea what's beneath the surface, there could be unseen currents and reeds, which could pull you under.
If you are thinking of entering the water, consider your exit point, and any emergency exits, before you get in.
See Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue water safety advice pages for more information.
 Advice to beat the heat
Our beat the heat top tips cover this in more detail but it can be summarised as:
- Drink lots of water and reduce tea, coffee and especially alcohol consumption
- Wear light-coloured, lightweight, cotton, loose-fitting clothing
- Remember to eat properly
- Avoid extreme exercise
- Close curtains of rooms that face the sun to keep them cool
- Consider fitting thermal blinds/curtains
- Dress appropriately and check the central heating is switched off
- Take cool baths/showers to cool down
- Open windows if it feels cooler outside, considering the safety of young children
- Check your medicines are stored at the correct temperature
- Apply sunscreen and wear a hat, while trying to stay in the shade
- Keep out of the midday sun (11am to 3pm)
- Avoid exercising during the hottest time of the day
- Keep safe if swimming in water, especially open water, rivers and ponds
- Never leave anyone – especially children, the elderly or animals – alone in a vehicle
- Public buildings, such as libraries and places of worship, may be cooler
Helping homeless people
Due to the high chance of temperatures being high into and beyond the weekend, we would expect to activate our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for rough sleepers over the next few days.
This means we can find them a bed for the night. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see confirmation of when this is activated.
If you have seen anyone sleeping rough, or if you or someone you know could use this help, please call us on (0118) 974 600 and for out of hours, please visit our Homelessness pages.
Our partners at Two Saints Wokingham are working with those who are remaining on the street by choice to ensure they have water, suncream and other essentials. Under SWEP everyone is accommodated, including those not usually eligible.
Useful links
The following are good sources of information and advice during a heatwave:
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