(from The Guardian but look at the last paragraph)

TV weather to give heatwave health advice


TV and radio weather forecasts will offer health advice on how to cope
with a heatwave, health officials said today as temperatures in
England soared to 31C (87F).

Under plans drawn up by the Department of Health (DoH), BBC and ITN
weather forecasts will for the first time include tips on how to stay
healthy in high temperatures and viewers will be referred to the
telephone helpline NHS Direct.

The measures are part of contingency plans for England to avoid a
repeat of August 2003 when more than 2,000 deaths were attributed to
the heatwave, mainly among people over 75.

Mike Gill, the regional director of public health for south-east
England, said advice will be provided on national and local TV and
radio weather forecasts.

Dr Gill said: "The detail of how much health advice will be provided
in forecasts is still being negotiated with the Met Office. But we
expect it will include basic guidelines such as staying in the shade
and drinking plenty of water.

"We also want a specific reference for the public to think about
whether they know anyone who'd be particularly vulnerable from the
effect of hot weather, such as older people."

Long-range forecasts from the Met Office indicate above average
temperatures this July and August. Temperatures could match the record
high of 38.5C (101F) recorded in Brogdale, Kent, on August 10 2003.
Over a 10-day period, the number of deaths was 17% above average
across England, rising to 42% above average in London.

Weather forecasts would provide similar information to the survival
guide, Heatwave: A Guide to Looking After Yourself, published bythe
government's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, earlier this
month. It includes advice such as:
·: plan your day so you can stay out of the heat and avoid going out
during the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 3pm;
·: if you must go out, stay in the shade. Wear a hat and light,
loose-fitting clothes, preferably cotton. Take plenty of water with
you;
·: take cool showers or baths and splash yourself several times a day
with cold water. Try to eat more cold food, particularly salads and
fruit;
·: look after older people. They are much more prone to the effects of
heat.

Dr Gill said the aim of the plans was to shift public attitudes
towards hot weather.

"Heat is still seen as an opportunity to take your clothes off on the
beach or give lollies to zebras at the zoo," he said. "We want people
to take care of their own health but also to look out for anyone
particularly vulnerable, such as older people living alone at home
while their relatives are away on holiday."

· The BBC has backed down after a storm of complaints over its new
weather forecast. Changes to the map will be made tomorrow, it has
emerged.

"Grover" wrote in message
...

Dr Gill said: "The detail of how much health advice will be provided
in forecasts is still being negotiated with the Met Office. But we
expect it will include basic guidelines such as staying in the shade
and drinking plenty of water.

Drink plenty of water?
Well waddaya know......
More idiotic advice for those with no common sense.

Apart from the bit about reminding people to look out for the old
folks, a complete and utter waste of time.


· The BBC has backed down after a storm of complaints over its new
weather forecast. Changes to the map will be made tomorrow, it has
emerged.

Hopefully containing fronts and isobars......

Col
--
Bolton, Lancashire.
160m asl.
http://www.reddwarfer.btinternet.co.uk
http://www.reddwarfer.btinternet.co....rPictures.html

"Col" wrote in message
...

"Grover" wrote in message
...

Dr Gill said: "The detail of how much health advice will be provided
in forecasts is still being negotiated with the Met Office. But we
expect it will include basic guidelines such as staying in the shade
and drinking plenty of water.

Drink plenty of water?
Well waddaya know......
More idiotic advice for those with no common sense.

Apart from the bit about reminding people to look out for the old
folks, a complete and utter waste of time.


I agree. Pathetic molly-coddling garbage, concealing the fact that less actual
useful information is given out nowadays - like wind and pressure forecasts for
two.

Will.
--

" Stuff the thought police, I don't care anymore, I am free, I am me -
quack quack "
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Fri, 27 May 2005 15:35:55 +0100, Grover wrote:

TV and radio weather forecasts will offer health advice on how to
cope with a heatwave, health officials said today as temperatures in
England soared to 31C (87F).

Flippin heck there isn't enough time for the (reduced) weather content
in the forecasts without wasting it on health advice. Sun and Pollen
indexes(*) I can cope with but the wetaher forecast is not the place
for explicit health advice.

Didn't there used to be something on the telly a while back for this
sort of thing? Oh yes, I remember a "Public Information Films". Maybe
they could bung a few of those in instead of programme trails, I lost
count of how many there where after the News & Weather on BBC1
tonight...

(*) Seems strange that The Great Unwashed a deemed able to understand
the Sun and Pollen indexes but not wind speeds. Or have those indexes
bitten the dust as well?

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

Dave Liquorice wrote:

(*) Seems strange that The Great Unwashed a deemed able to understand
the Sun and Pollen indexes but not wind speeds. Or have those indexes
bitten the dust as well?


The pollen indexes have been dumbed down a little from a number (from 1
to 10) to High, Medium, or Low.

--
Howard Neil

"Howard Neil" wrote in message
...
Dave Liquorice wrote:

(*) Seems strange that The Great Unwashed a deemed able to understand
the Sun and Pollen indexes but not wind speeds. Or have those indexes
bitten the dust as well?


The pollen indexes have been dumbed down a little from a number (from 1
to 10) to High, Medium, or Low.


Market Research says that 71% of people no longer understand numbers.

LOL

Will.
--

" Forget the BBC, visit www.metoffice.gov.uk for UK weather information "
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

"Howard Neil" wrote in message
...
Dave Liquorice wrote:

(*) Seems strange that The Great Unwashed a deemed able to understand
the Sun and Pollen indexes but not wind speeds. Or have those indexes
bitten the dust as well?


The pollen indexes have been dumbed down a little from a number (from 1
to 10) to High, Medium, or Low.


Market Research says that 71% of people no longer understand numbers.


Makes it difficult though for the 29% numerate minority to fathom out the
algorithms used to determine what is defined as high, medium or low. As
Jack has said in another message this morning, the BBC has a requirement to
cater for minorities.

Perhaps this requirement does not extend to entertainment programmes.

Regards, Roger

Will Hand wrote:
"Howard Neil" wrote in message
...

Dave Liquorice wrote:


(*) Seems strange that The Great Unwashed a deemed able to understand
the Sun and Pollen indexes but not wind speeds. Or have those indexes
bitten the dust as well?


The pollen indexes have been dumbed down a little from a number (from 1
to 10) to High, Medium, or Low.



Market Research says that 71% of people no longer understand numbers.

:-)

--
Howard Neil

On Sat, 28 May 2005 10:41:07 +0100, Will Hand wrote:

Market Research says that 71% of people no longer understand
numbers.

That many? I thought there where only 10, those who understand
numbers, and those who don't. B-)

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

In article ,
"Will Hand" wrote:

Market Research says that 71% of people no longer understand numbers.

That's Chip and PIN ****ed, then.