A set of heatwave survival tips issued by the UK Health Security Agency has gone viral this week, as the country braces for another scorching spell. The guidelines, which advise staying hydrated, closing curtains, and checking on vulnerable neighbours, have been widely shared on social media and praised by international health bodies. For families in the North, where many homes lack air conditioning and green space is scarce, these tips are a lifeline.
But they also highlight a stark reality: extreme weather is no longer a rare event. It is a recurring threat to the health of ordinary people. The guidance has been adapted for use in countries from Spain to Canada, cementing Britain's role as a leader in public health messaging.
Yet for those struggling to afford fans or facing precarious housing, advice alone is not enough. The government must invest in infrastructure that protects the most vulnerable when the mercury rises.
