The difference between an Orange Heat Health Alert and a Red Heat Health Alert

Published By Peter Davies 

The difference between an Orange Heat Health Alert and a Red Heat Health Alert is the level of risk to people, infrastructure, and services.

🟠 Orange Heat Health Alert

An Orange Alert means:

• High temperatures are expected to have a significant impact on health and social care services.
• Increased risk to vulnerable people, including:
  • Older adults
  • Young children
  • People with underlying health conditions
• Hospitals, care homes, schools, and workplaces may need to take additional precautions.
• Some disruption to transport and infrastructure may occur.

Typical Action:

✅ Stay hydrated

✅ Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day

✅ Check on vulnerable family members, neighbours, and colleagues

✅ Keep indoor spaces as cool as possible

⸻

🔴 Red Heat Health Alert

A Red Alert is the highest level and means:

• There is a severe risk to life across the wider population, not just vulnerable groups.
• Major impacts on:
  • Health services
  • Transport networks
  • Schools
  • Businesses
  • Utilities and infrastructure
• Heat-related illnesses and deaths are likely to increase significantly.
• Emergency planning measures may be activated nationally or regionally.

Typical Action:

🚨 Avoid unnecessary travel if possible

🚨 Stay indoors during peak heat periods

🚨 Follow official guidance from authorities

🚨 Ensure vulnerable people are regularly checked on

🚨 Employers and schools may need to adjust activities

Quick Comparison

Alert Level

Risk Level

Who Is Affected?

🟠 Orange

Significant

Mainly vulnerable groups, with some wider impacts

🔴 Red

Severe / Emergency

Everyone, with widespread impacts on health and infrastructure

For schools and premises teams, a Red Alert may require reviewing outdoor activities, ensuring adequate ventilation, monitoring staff welfare, increasing water availability, and considering adjustments to events or sports activities.

☀️ As temperatures rise, PMGS would recommend ensuring all staff, pupils, hirers, and visitors have access to drinking water, shaded areas, and cool indoor spaces wherever possible.