A HEATWAVE will trigger a surge in 999 calls from people suffering sunburn, sunstroke and from those injured through alcohol, ambulance chiefs have warned.

Worcestershire NHS bosses are expecting a rise in calls from people suffering heat exhaustion, dehydration and injuries from alcohol-related incidents as temperatures are predicted to soar to more than 30C this week.

The Met Office has forecast that in at least the next two to three days there is a 60 per cent chance of temperatures being high enough to give rise to “significant health risks”.

That has triggered a ‘high-level heatwave alert’ action plan on behalf of the Department of Health.

West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust warned that high temperatures over a number of days can be “dangerous or even fatal”, especially to babies, young children, older people and those with chronic illnesses such as respiratory and heart conditions and can even bring on a stroke.

Rob Ashford, chief operating officer for the service said: “We ask that members of the public follow simple guidance to reduce the number of unnecessary 999 calls to the ambulance service.

“We’ve already seen a rise in calls during the weekend, particularly to alcohol-related incidents and conditions sensitive to heat changes such as respiratory and cardiac complaints.”

Ambulance chiefs advise people to check on elderly friends and relatives, stay out of the sun where possible between 11am and 3pm, wear sun block and drink plenty of water.

Dr Ashis Banerjee, consultant in public health for NHS Worcestershire, said: “You should try to keep your home as cool as possible by shutting and shading windows when it’s hotter outside than it is inside, and regularly drink cold drinks like water or fruit juice while avoiding tea, coffee and alcohol.”

Meanwhile, West Mercia Police have issued a statement warning the people of Worcestershire to take steps to stop the heatwave becoming a crimewave.

Det Insp Jim Fox said: “As in previous years, we are receiving reports of sneak-thieves taking easily-removed items through windows and doors left open.

“This could increase substantially if residents forget to close windows and doors when they go to bed, or even if they are only popping out for a few minutes.”

Police are investigating the theft of a laptop computer when a back door was left open at an address in Teme Road, Worcester, on Sunday, June 28.