Chilly treat in the heatwave for those with sweet tooth - but heatstroke warnings too
A dental surgery has found the perfect way of putting gleaming smiles on passers-by without the need for any treatment ... free ice-creams!
Willows Dental and Implant Centre in Wombourne came up with the idea as a way of lifting spirits during the lockdown and the van has been a welcome sight for people as temperatures soar.
There were highs of 30C (86F) yesterday, with similar temperatures expected today.
A post on Facebook from the team said: “One of the reasons we do what we do is because we just love making people smile. We’ve given out free ice cream as just one of a few little ‘thank yous’ we have in store from the team at Willows Dental to say thank you to all for supporting us over this crazy time.
"Please stay socially distanced and we accept no responsibility for any sensitivity caused by too much ice cream.”
The van was due to be back in place today from 12.30-1.30pm.
Meanwhile, experts are warning about the dangers of spending too long in the sun as temperatures continue to climb across the country this week.
The sunshine has seen people across the region flock to beauty spots and outdoor spaces to soak up the heat.
Warnings have been issued about UV levels, which are going to be “exceptionally high” over the next couple of days.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “The sun is as strong as it gets at the moment because we’re so close to the solstice. We’ve got peak sun strength, clear skies, plenty of sunshine – it’s the perfect ingredients for high UV.”
Mr Burkill advised anyone outside for prolonged periods of time to take measures to protect themselves.
Shoppers have also been advised to be aware they could be forced to spend extra time in the sun as a result of social distancing measures.
Dr Lynn Thomas, medical director at St John Ambulance, said: “You could end up in the sun for longer than expected on what would normally be a quick journey, such as queuing to enter the supermarket, so you should be prepared to look after yourself and others.
"Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are two of the most serious problems that can develop when the mercury soars but by being prepared you can spot the early warning signs, such as headache and dizziness.”
People are being warned not to have barbecues on dry grass, drop cigarettes or matches, or leave rubbish such as glass bottles lying around amid a risk they could start fires. The hot weather will be shortlived – possible thunderstorms tomorrow will herald cooler temperatures from Saturday onwards.
