WITH temperatures predicted to rise this week as the holiday season approaches, people are being warned to make sure they are prepared.

While no heatwave has yet been forecast, summer truly starts to arrive with temperatures expected to reach up to 29C.

The Met Office has said that from today it will get hotter throughout week although there will possibly be quite thundery showers.

A spokesman said: “In Wiltshire it will be mostly fine and very warm or hot this week. Tuesday should stay dry but some isolated thundery showers may develop through Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

“The nights are likely to be warm and muggy.”

Beyond this week the temperatures are expected to stay high, although with periodic showers and possible thunderstorms.

“It looks as though the South and South East will see the best of the weather through most if not all of this period, with often warm, dry and fine conditions and only brief cloudier interludes with rain or showers,” said the spokesman.

Although many will be keen to head out into the sun, health chiefs have warned against the possible risks if people are not prepared.

Dr Paul Cosford, director for health protection at Public Health England (PHE), said: “While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be particularly vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses.

“The Heatwave Plan, which we published earlier this year, is an important component of overall emergency planning and sets out a series of clear actions that can be taken by healthcare organisations, local authorities, professionals working with vulnerable people, and individuals to help keep people safe during hot weather.

“We strongly encourage each locality to consider the actions in this plan and adapt them to their local situation, as a component of wider resilience planning and long-term climate change adaptation arrangements.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the good weather safely. Older people and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it’s important to look out for them, help them stay hydrated with plenty of cool drinks, and keep indoor areas as cool as possible.

“Try to keep bedroom and living spaces cool, by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun and opening your windows at cooler times of the day and overnight when you can. Turn off non-essential lights and electrical items as these generate heat. A trip to a park where there’s lots of shade or a public building that is air conditioned, may help offer some relief from the heat for vulnerable people.”

Many members of the Muslim community may be fasting during the current period of Ramadan.

During hot weather it’s important to balance food and fluid intake between fasts and especially to drink enough water. The Muslim Council of Britain and the NHS have published lots of useful information for those likely affected during this period.

Advice for keeping safe in the heat:

Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm

Apply sunscreen of at least SPF15 with UVA protection

Wear UV sunglasses, preferably wraparound, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes

Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes, a hat and light scarf

Drink lots of cool drinks

Look out for others especially vulnerable groups such as older people, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses

Never leave anyone especially infants, young children - or pets - in a closed, parked vehicle