Council Issues Safety Warnings as Rare Red Heat Alert Hits London
Temperatures expected to rise to close to 40 degrees
Temperatures could rise to unprecedented levels. Picture: AI generated
June 22, 2026
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has issued urgent safety advice ahead of an exceptional heatwave, as the Met Office confirms its first-ever Red warning for extreme heat in London with temperatures forecast to reach 40°C.
The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a Red Heat Health Alert for London and five other regions, warning of “population-wide adverse health effects” and a risk to life even for healthy people. The alert runs from 1am on Wednesday 24 June to 11pm on Thursday 25 June.
Residents are being urged to take precautions, check on vulnerable neighbours, and avoid unnecessary travel.
To protect crews working outdoors, H&F Council will begin bin and recycling collections at 5am. Residents are asked to put bins and bags out earlier than usual.
TfL is advising passengers to avoid travel unless essential on Monday and Tuesday, warning of potential disruption to buses, tubes and rail services as tracks and overhead lines face extreme heat.
Residents worried about a friend, neighbour or relative can contact the council’s Community Connect volunteer team on Freephone 0800 145 6095 (8am–6pm, Monday to Friday) or email communityconnect@lbhf.gov.uk.
If your home becomes too hot, H&F has shared a list of cool spaces, including libraries, community centres and shopping malls, where residents can take refuge from the heat.
List of Cool Spaces and water fountains in Hammersmith & Fulham
Water fountains
• Fulham Broadway Tube, Cedarne Road, SW6 1BY
• Lyric Square, King Street, W6 0QL
• Hammersmith Park South Africa Rd, London, W12 7PA
• Shepherds Bush Tube, Ariel Way, W12 8ND
Stay Cool places
Barons Court Project
69 Talgarth Road, W14 9DD
020 7603 5232
Monday to Friday 9am to 3:30pm
The Upper Room
Saint Saviour Wendell Park,
Cobbold Road, W12 9LN
020 8740 5688
Tuesday to Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm
Hammersmith Library
Shepherds Bush Road, W6 7AT
020 8753 3820
Monday to Thursday 10am to 7pm
Friday to Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Shepherds Bush Library
6 Wood Lane, W12 7BF
020 8753 3842
Monday to Thursday 10am to 7pm
Friday and Saturday 10am–5pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Fulham Library
598 Fulham Road, SW6 5NX
020 8753 3877 / 020 8753 3879
Monday to Thursday 10am to 7pm
Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Askew Road Library
87/91 Askew Road, W12 9AS
020 8753 3863
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am to 5pm
Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 7pm
Saturday 10am to 1pm
Closed on Sundays and bank holidays
Avonmore Library and Neighbourhood Centre
North End Crescent, London, W14 8TG
020 3137 6291
Monday and Wednesday 10am to 1pm
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 4:30pm
LIVAT Centre
King Street, London, W6 9HW
Monday to Friday 06:30am to 9:30pm
Saturday 7:30am to 9:30pm
Sunday 8am to 6pm
W12 Centre
Shepherds Bush Green, W12 8PP
Sunday to Thursday 7am to 00:30am
Friday to Saturday 7am to 2:30am
Fulham Broadway Retail Centre
Fulham Road, SW6 1BW
Monday to Sunday 7am to 11pm
Westfield
Ariel Way, W12 7SL
Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm
Sunday 12pm to 6pm
Hammersmith Broadway Shopping Centre
Hammersmith, London W6 9YE
How to stay safe in extreme heat
Authorities are urging residents to follow key safety advice:
• Look out for older people, those with health conditions, and anyone living alone
• Close curtains on sun-facing rooms
• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol
• Never leave children, vulnerable adults or pets in parked cars
• Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
• Walk in the shade, wear sunscreen and a hat
• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours
• Carry water if you must travel
The Met Office warns that the combination of record-breaking temperatures, high humidity, and tropical nights (when temperatures stay above 20°C) will make it difficult for people to recover from daytime heat.
Dr Agostinho Sousa of UKHSA said: “A red heat health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population. Simple actions like staying hydrated and keeping homes cool can make a big difference.”
Residents can find more advice here.
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