Preparing for a heatwave

What matters most

• Drinking water Essential
  3 litres per person per day for drinking is the commonly recommended amount.
• Essential medication Essential
  A supply of any medication your household relies on.
• Emergency contacts Essential
  Important numbers saved where you can reach them without the internet.
• First aid kit Essential
  A stocked first aid kit that everyone knows where to find.
• Water for pets Essential
  An estimate based on each pet's species and size.
• Plan for medication that needs a fridge Essential
  Know how you'd keep it cool during a power cut.

What official guidance in Ireland says

• Don't spend long outdoors during the hottest part of the day, 11am to 3pm.¹
• Close curtains or blinds during the day, then open windows when it cools in the evening.¹
• Drink water regularly through the day, even if you're not thirsty.¹
• Check on relatives, neighbours and friends who may be vulnerable to heat, especially if they live alone.¹
• Cool baths or showers help keep your body temperature down.²

Stay safe

Water and food for a few days

For two adults, SupKit's figures for 3 days are:

Long-life food that suits a heatwave

Each of these keeps without a fridge and doesn't need the fridge once opened:

• Tinned chilli
• Tinned soup
• Baked beans
• Microwave rice pouch
• Tinned tuna
• Crackers
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Cereal bars
• Tinned fruit

Allergies, dietary needs and children

Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.

Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.

• Irish (EU) law names 14 allergens: gluten cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin and molluscs.³
• On packaged food, allergens must stand out in the ingredient list, for example through font, style or background colour.⁴
• For unpackaged food, allergen information must be in writing and easy to find before you buy.³
• 'May contain' warnings are optional, used only where cross-contamination can't be ruled out, and can't replace good manufacturing practice.⁴

Young children

• Don't give whole nuts to children under five; crush or grind nuts, and spread nut butter thinly.⁵
• Don't give honey to babies under 12 months, and don't add salt to a baby's food.⁶