If it's hot stay in the shade - you don't need a quango to tell you that!

And once again the nanny state swings into action.

The last couple of days have been a little warm so now we are given advice on the weather.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: 'The heat is especially dangerous for the very young, older people or those with serious illnesses. Keeping the home as cool as possible during hot weather and remembering the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk is essential."

They usefully provide some helpful hints:

Tips of how to keep cool in the heatwave...

• People with serious health problems (for example heart conditions), should avoid going out in the heat, especially between 11am and 3pm.
• Drink cold drinks such as water or fruit juice regularly and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
• Stay tuned to the weather forecast and plan ahead with supplies - think of elderly neighbours who may need help.
• Keep plenty of water to hand and stay in the shade where possible.
• Identify the coolest room in the house to use as a room to cool down or sleep in.

Now, this is what I would call commonsense and doesn't need the intervention of a government department.

What these busybodies seem to forget is that an awful lot of people have been on holiday to Spain, Italy, the Caribbean and other hot places and somehow have managed to survive without being told to drink water or stay in the shade.

Perhap this is the subtle way for the global warming nutters to tell us that we won't be allowed to fly anywhere in the future.