London Ambulance Service (LAS) is urging the public to avoid alcohol in hot weather. Paramedics say the combination is filling ambulances and pushing the 999 service to its limits this week.

Stuart Crichton, Director of 999 Operations at LAS, confirmed the service recorded its busiest day in 12 months. Temperatures are forecast to hit 33°C on both Monday and Tuesday. Health officials say that puts vulnerable people in real danger.

Why Alcohol in Hot Weather Harms Your Body

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated its first amber heat health alert of 2026 this week. The alert runs until Wednesday and covers a large part of England.

Crichton was direct: “We are asking people to stay safe in the heat, drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol, and stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.”

The medical case is clear. Alcohol is a diuretic. It speeds up fluid loss from the body at the exact moment your body needs to stay hydrated. Add soaring temperatures and the body struggles to regulate its own heat. Dehydration sets in quickly. Heat exhaustion follows. In serious cases, heatstroke and collapse can occur. NHS guidance confirms that even moderate alcohol consumption in extreme heat can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure, dizziness and confusion.

There is no safe level of drinking alcohol in the heat. Avoiding it altogether is the only real protection.

Drinking Alcohol in the Heat Is Filling Hospitals

The 2022 UK heatwave saw temperatures top 40°C for the first time on record. Emergency departments across England were overwhelmed. Alcohol-related heat emergencies contributed heavily to that pressure. The same pattern is already emerging this week.

“This summer has come early and it is catching people out. It is suddenly much hotter than people have been used to,” Crichton said.

LAS crews are dealing with pre-existing conditions made worse by the heat. They are also responding to cases directly caused by alcohol in hot weather in parks and open spaces across the city. One in three heat-related ambulance calls during previous UK heatwaves involved alcohol as a contributing factor, according to public health data.

Who Is Most at Risk

Crichton urged people to check on those around them. “It is really important that we look out for the vulnerable, specifically the over-65s and those with pre-existing conditions,” he said.

Older adults are at greater risk. The body’s ability to manage heat weakens with age. Anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes faces a faster escalation if they consume alcohol in hot weather. Children are also less able to cope with sustained high temperatures. Families should take the warnings seriously this week.

What You Should Do Right Now

Health professionals are clear about the steps to take during the heatwave:

• Drink water and low-sugar soft drinks throughout the day
• Stay indoors or in shade between 11am and 3pm
• Wear loose, light-coloured clothing outside
• Check on elderly neighbours or anyone living alone
• Avoid alcohol entirely while temperatures remain high

Skipping alcohol in hot weather is not about missing out. It is about staying safe and keeping others safe too.

When to Call for Help

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, pale skin, a weak pulse and nausea. If you notice these in yourself or someone else, act fast. Call 111 or use 111 online for urgent but non-life-threatening concerns. Call 999 in any life-threatening situation.

Further amber heat alerts are expected as summer continues. Do not wait until it is an emergency.

Source: bbc