Feeling hot? With the effects of climate change becoming more apparent, temperatures in the UK are steadily rising. Last year, temperatures exceeded 40°C for the first time on record. While this may sound like a tropical dream, the reality is that high temperatures can be fatal – especially for older people or those with underlying health conditions. 

Read on to learn more about the danger of hot weather and how our innovative Tec2Care services in the UK can help reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses at home. 

Hot weather, heat and health 

In 2022, nearly 3,000 people died in England due to the effects of hot weather. By 2050, the number of heat-related deaths is expected to triple.  

Older people and those with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable to the effects of hot weather which can cause them to become unwell through dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Intense heat can also increase the risk of stroke, lung issues and heart attacks. 

Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke 

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body can’t cool down after overheating. Common signs of heat exhaustion include:  

• intense thirst
• fatigue
• muscle cramps
• excessive sweating 
• weakness
• feeling faint
• headache
• feeling or being sick.

If a person is not able to cool down within 30 minutes, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke which is characterised by a lack of coordination, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, low blood pressure and confusion. As a serious condition, heat stroke requires immediate medical attention. 

Using Tec2Care device to monitor heat and home safety 

During summer heatwaves, homes can quickly overheat which can be very uncomfortable, especially at night when you’re trying to sleep. Our Tec2Care device can monitor temperatures and ensure the home environment is not too hot. This is a great way to ensure your loved one is safe and cool inside while providing you peace of mind. 

We want to reiterate that extremely hot environments don’t just cause eye-watering energy bills. For people with chronic conditions, such as heart, respiratory or cerebrovascular disease and diabetes, they can be incredibly dangerous. With Tec2Care’s ability to monitor changes inside the home, your loved one can remain as independent as possible in the safety of their home.  

How does Tec2Care work?

Our innovative Tec2Care sensor is a small, non-invasive device that’s placed in the kitchen. There are no cameras, microphones or motion sensors. In fact, it offers greater privacy than a smartphone or fitness tracker. To build up a picture of someone’s habits and activity level, the intelligent system uses data points such as humidity, temperature, and atmospheric changes inside the home. This means that if extreme heat is detected, a notification will be sent to the nominated family members and/or the care provider to check in or contact the emergency services, enabling appropriate measures to be put in place as quickly as possible. 

Get in touch 

If your loved one’s home could benefit from our non-invasive Tec2Care services, we are here for you. Please feel free to get in touch or give us a call on 0115 758 8719. Our friendly staff would be happy to provide more information on how our Tec2Care device can help you this summer and beyond.