Warm weather can be 'incredibly dangerous' to the homeless, says Worcestershire charity Maggs
Temperatures are set to reach above 30 degrees Celsius again today (12 July) and are expected to peak over the weekend and ease early next week
A Worcestershire charity says it will be providing extra support to those who are homeless throughout the warm weather.
Temperatures are set to reach above 30 degrees Celsius again today (12 July) in Herefordshire and Worcestershire with an amber heat health warning in place.
The Caring for Communities and People charity (CCP) announced on Wednesday (9 July) a hot Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) would be in place across Worcestershire throughout Thursday 10th and Friday 11th July.
On Thursday it declared the period had been extended to cover both Saturday and Sunday in it as well with temperatures expected to still reach in the 30s.
The Met Office said on Monday (7 July) though that this heatwave is not expected to see temperatures quite as high as the one experienced at the end of June/early July.
Melissa Blewitt from Maggs which support homeless and rough sleepers in the Worcester area says the current heatwave can be incredibly dangerous for people with no shelter.
She said: "We've seen people collapse from heat exhaustion on days without proper hydration so just imagine having nowhere to go where you can cool down, you can't sit in front of fan, it's incredibly tough and genuinely life-threatening.
"While cold weather does get a lot of attention heat can be just as dangerous, rough sleepers are exposed to high temperatures without access shade, drinking water or sunscreen, and that can often lead to dehydration, heatstroke or sunburn.
"Within SWEP it means we will be offering extra support through periods of extreme heat things like water, sunscreen and hats, just anything people need to keep themselves safe and hydrated."
Pet owners are also being reminded to look after their animals with the Dogs Trust urging people that if they do take their pet out they do it at the cooler times of the day and check the surface isn't too warm for them to walk on.
Temperatures are expected to peak over the weekend and ease early next week, with the pollen count also set to be very high.
Herefordshire Council say it's extended its support for rough sleepers over the next few days, with its rough sleeper outreach team having increased patrols to speak with individuals, offer welfare checks, and distribute water, sunscreen, and hats.