Update issued on Irish school closures as temperatures set to hit 30 degrees

It's the hottest May in decades.

The short answer is that there is no official legal maximum temperature that automatically triggers school closures in Ireland.

However, should temperatures climb above 30°C across several consecutive days and Met Éireann issue a Status Red warning, schools would be required to shut their doors.

In the absence of those conditions, individual schools retain full discretion to close when they see fit.

Closures due to extreme heat remain virtually unheard of in this country however it's a question many parents will be turning over today after Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow high temperature warning for Tuesday and Wednesday.

The alert, issued on Tuesday morning, applies to counties Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly.

It runs from 12pm on Tuesday until 6pm on Wednesday, with temperatures in the affected counties expected to push past 27°C. It will also be an uncomfortably warm night, with the mercury staying in and around 15°C.

Met Éireann has flagged water safety risks from increased use of lakes and beaches, the possibility of forest fires, disrupted sleep and heat stress as potential impacts during the warning period.

Keeping children safe in the heat

Children are particularly vulnerable in hot weather because they don't sweat as efficiently as adults, making it harder for their bodies to cool down.

Parents are urged to ensure babies and young children drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.

Heat exhaustion can quickly develop into heatstroke if the body cannot cool itself within 30 minutes and heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency.

Children suffering from heat exhaustion are usually tired, irritable or bad-tempered. Other warning signs include intense thirst, weakness or fainting, cramps in the arms, legs or stomach, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, headaches, excessive sweating, pale clammy skin, and a temperature above 38°C but below 40°C.

If you suspect heat exhaustion, bring your child indoors or into the shade. Remove unnecessary clothing, sponge their skin with cool water, and place cold packs around their neck and armpits.

If they're alert and behaving normally, offer them a cold drink, but avoid caffeine. If they are drowsy or not fully responsive, do not force fluids.

Call 999 or 112 immediately if your child is still unwell 30 minutes after treatment, feels hot and dry, has stopped sweating despite the heat, has a severe headache, a temperature of 40°C or higher, is breathing rapidly or struggling for breath, is confused, has a seizure, loses consciousness or becomes unresponsive. These are signs of heatstroke.

To prevent heat exhaustion in the first place, encourage plenty of cold drinks (especially around exercise), cool baths or showers, and light-coloured loose clothing.

Keep children in the shade between 11am and 3pm, and avoid vigorous outdoor play when temperatures push past 30°C.