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An ambulance service has warned of dehydration and heat strokes as the UK starts to see the return of warmer weather.

Previous years have seen increased 999 calls as temperature began to rise, South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) said.

On particularly busy days, the service deals with more than 3,000 calls a day across Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

The ambulance trust has set out several steps people can take to avoid the need to seek medical help.

These include staying in the shade or indoors, using sun cream and covering up, increasing fluid intake, keeping homes cool, looking after the elderly, protecting children and acting safely around water.

The trust also said people should be sensible with alcohol and know the perils of outdoor eating, including keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and making sure meat is cooked properly on barbecues.

Secamb's executive director of operations Emma Williams said: "Following what has been a rather gloomy and wet start to the year, I'm sure we're all hopeful of enjoying some warmer weather.

"We know, however, that hot weather can increase demand on our service, and we ask that everyone takes care, is sensible, and looks after those most vulnerable around them."

She said people should still phone 999 in an emergency.

If people are not facing an emergency, they can speak a GP, pharmacist or use NHS 111, she said.

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