Here Comes the Sun: Official Advice for Coping with the Summer Heatwave

The mercury is rising, and thoughts in Spain have already turned to the impending heatwave. With temperatures due to rise to dangerous levels throughout the summer months of July and August, it’s time to think about how you will cool down, as well as the opportunity to top up your tan. As a result, Spain’s health ministry has released some official advice on how to cope with the summer heatwave this year. Here are some top tips for you to follow:

Who Is at Risk from High Temperatures?

The heat of the summer is not a concern for many Spanish citizens, but abnormally high temperatures can be dangerous to some members of society, and this is what the new campaign will focus on. High temperatures can negatively affect the most vulnerable and at-risk groups including, but not limited to, the elderly, pregnant women, minors, and people with chronic health conditions. Those who work outdoors should also be especially mindful of the risks, and they are vulnerable to systems such as sun burn and heat stroke.

What Precautions Should You Take?

• Keep your fluid levels up by drinking plenty of water. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel thirsty, you should still be drinking plenty of water in high temperatures.
• Drink Water Only, Where Possible. Alcoholic, caffeinated and sugary drinks (such as soda) can promote dehydration and won’t hydrate you the way water can.
• Watch Your Family and Neighbours. If you know someone who is vulnerable, including infants and young children, pregnant women or nursing mothers, the elderly and those with health conditions that may be impacted by extreme heat such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, pathologies that hinder mobility, dementia and other mental illnesses, then you should keep an eye on them and ensure they are following these rules to protect themselves from the heat.
• Stay in the shade. This will help you to keep cool, and avoid the extreme temperatures of the direct sunlight.
• Stay indoors in the middle of the day. The middle of the day is where the temperatures are hottest, so you should avoid physical activity or being outside if you don’t have to, during this period.
• Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting and breathable clothing wherever possible.
• You should never lock children, pets or the elderly in your vehicles at any time, but this is particularly true during high temperatures; the temperatures inside the vehicle can become significantly higher than those outside it.
• Don’t be afraid to seek medical advise. If you experience symptoms of heat stroke, sun burn, or any other condition associated with high temperatures for more than one hour then you should consult your doctor.
• Eat Light Meals. Look for light foods that contain plenty of water, such as salads, fruits and vegetables. These will help you replace any salts and fluids that you lose due to excessive sweating.
• Wear a Hat. This is a simple and easy way to avoid sun stroke and to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

 Sign Up For Weather Alerts

 In order to alert citizens to high-risk situations as a result of extreme heat, the Ministry of Health have create a new service that will alert citizens via either email or text message when there will be extreme high temperatures. Alerts will also indicate the minimum and maximum forecasted temperatures for a rolling five day period. You can register for the free service here. The service will be offered until 15^th September, when temperatures should return to normal, safe levels again.

 The alerts you receive will be assigned one of the follow categories, so that you can simply and easily see the weather risks involved:

• Level 0 (green), of the absence of risk , occurs when it is anticipated that on no day of the next five consecutive days the threshold temperatures will be exceeded.
• Level 1 (yellow), low risk, it is expected that the threshold temperatures will be exceeded on one or two days of the next five consecutive days.
• Level 2 (orange), medium risk, it is expected that the threshold temperatures will be exceeded three or four days of the next five consecutive days.
• Level 3 (red), high risk, is activated when threshold temperatures are expected to be exceeded in one of the next five days.

Signing up for these free alerts is simple and easy, and it will help you to ensure that you are aware of the risks and can stay safe in the sun this summer.

Ready to embrace the heat of the Mediterranean sun from a new home in Spain, rather than daydreaming about the Med in the British rain? Why not get in touch with our property experts today: they’d love to help you turn your Spanish dream into a reality.