SITTING in my car on Clee Hill, I was pleased to see people making their way into the great outdoors as summer arrived with a bang.

In late May we had some temperatures that would not have been out of place in high summer.

There is much said about the importance of keeping warm in the winter especially for older people.

Cold can kill and damage health but so can heat and less is said about keeping cool. The tragedy of the little baby who died in Ireland having been left in a car in the sun or the soldiers that died on Brecon Beacons are but extreme examples of the dangers of heat.

For many people it is less heat but more humidity that causes problems. When the humidity is high, the body’s natural cooling mechanism – perspiration – does not work well.

It has always seemed to me that keeping and staying warm is rather easier than staying cool.

Heat stroke is a serious condition and so is the dehydration that can come from staying in the heat for too long and not drinking enough.

Planning and taking advantage of the weather forecast enables vital jobs to be done in the morning rather than in the heat of the day. However, giving the petrol motor mower a run out at 5am might not go down a storm with the neighbours!

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun and it is not an accident that people in hot countries often take a rest during the hottest part of the day.

North facing rooms in a house will be a lot cooler than those that face south and drawing curtains can provide much needed shade.

How many people throw open the windows? This may not always be the best idea. Double glazing and insulation is designed to keep heat in during the winter but it can also help to keep cool in during the summer.

This is exactly why a thermos flask helps keep cold drinks cool and hot drinks hot.

Throwing windows open during the day can let cool air out and allow hot and humid air in.

However, having the windows open at night can allow warm air to escape and cooler air to get in.

Keeping out of the sun is also important because the link between sun-seeking and skin cancer is proven. If out during the day, covering up, wearing a hat and appropriate sun screen lotion is vital.

Most people believe that light-coloured clothing, because it reflects heat, is best in the summer.

However, there is a school of thought that while whites and light-coloured clothing is best in direct sunlight, dark may be best when it is hot but not in direct sunlight because it radiates heat. This is not something I have tried and the idea of wearing black on a hot summer day feels odd.

Whether indoors or out, keeping properly hydrated is very important and the best way to do this is to drink small amounts regularly – if we feel thirsty we have left it too late.

What we drink is also important. Alcohol is a diuretic and can make dehydration worse and it has been suggested by some that drinks like coffee than contain caffeine can do the same.

The overall message is that excessive heat just like excessive cold can be harmful so take care in the summer.