WITH a heatwave predicted for the weekend and expecting to last until Monday morning, people in the borough are being urged to take extra care.

NHS Hillingdon, Hillingdon Council and the Hillingdon Hospital are advising to have fun but stay safe in the sun.

Top tips to keep cool and hydrated include drinking plenty of water, have cool baths or showers, and splash your face with cold water frequently. For those who are planning on sitting or working outside this weekend, the advice is to cover up where possible and wear high factor sunscreen to protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

Babies and young children, who are particularly vulnerable should also be protected with high factor sunscreen, a hat and be kept in the shade.

And as temperatures reach the 90s this weekend in the borough, the danger symptoms to look out for include: feeling faint and dizzy, being short of breath, vomiting, or increasing confusion.

Keith Bullen, chief operating officer for NHS Hillingdon, said: "The best way to look after the health of you and those around you is to ensure that your body temperature is kept cool by drinking lots of water and soft drinks and where possible avoiding drinking alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks. It’s also important to remember others, particularly children and older people, who can be at risk from heat."

You can find out more about hot weather and your health at www.nhs.uk ( http://www.nhs.uk/ ), and you can get advice on protecting your skin from the Cancer Research UK SunSmart campaign at www.sunsmart.org.uk ( http://www.sunsmart.org.uk/ ).

If you have any concerns about your or someone else’s health, contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk ( http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ ), or your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Remember, heatstroke can kill. It can develop very suddenly, and rapidly lead to unconsciousness. If you suspect someone has heatstroke, call 999 immediately.