Heat waves can be harmful to health. Here are the right steps to protect yourself.
- 26 departments are in “orange vigilance” storms and heat waves.
- High temperatures can be harmful to health.
- Certain preventive measures make it possible to limit the impact of heat on our body.
While the heat wave is hitting a large part of eastern France, the health authorities are reminding people how to protect themselves and those around them in the event of high temperatures.
It is therefore recommended to:
– stay cool (at home or in a cool place).
– Drink water (without waiting to be thirsty).
– Regularly wet your body.
– Close the shutters and windows of the accommodation during the day.
– Ventilate your space at night.
– Favor gentle and effortless activities.
– Eat fresh, balanced and in sufficient quantity.
– Avoid alcohol.
– Take news of your loved ones and the most fragile (children, elderly people).
Collective reception structures and outdoor work
Managers of collective reception structures, in particular leisure centres, EHPADs and health establishments, are also reminded to take all the necessary measures to protect fragile people and promote their hydration.
“Employers must also assess the risks and take the necessary decisions (arrangement of working hours in order to limit the exposure of employees to the highest temperatures of the day, postponement of painful tasks, etc.), particularly in the sector construction and public works”, health experts point out in a press release.
33,000 deaths are attributable to the heat
High temperatures can be harmful to health, in particular because they can cause heatstroke, sunburn and a sudden deterioration in psychological well-being.
Over the summer periods from 2014 to 2022, nearly 33,000 deaths are attributable to the heat between June 1 and September 15 each year, including 23,000 people aged 75 and over. “Among the deaths, 28% were observed during heat waves as defined by the heat wave management plan, while they represent only 6% of the days studied. Public Health France recently wrote in a report on this subject.
“The published report emphasizes that heat waves are the extreme climatic events associated with the highest human burden in mainland France. Apart from heat waves, hot temperatures, which are often perceived as not presenting any health issues, nevertheless lead to also at significant risk”the authors also pointed out.
