The number of hot days in Germany is constantly increasing due to climate change. In Berlin, the average number of hot days has risen from 9.6 to 15.2 in recent decades. For children, this means many more opportunities to go swimming. For agriculture, for example, the situation is quite different. Offices and industry need more energy to keep their rooms cool when temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius, because who likes to work at temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius?
Temperatures can cause all kinds of damage to the human organism. Large cities are particularly susceptible to high temperatures, especially the city centres. Where hot air builds up and is difficult to dissipate, the dangers it poses should not be underestimated. The major heatwaves of recent years have claimed numerous lives throughout Europe. The number of fatalities throughout Europe is in the tens of thousands every year.
Various climate models indicate that heat extremes or heatwaves can also be expected in the future. In addition, the days with intense heat are occurring earlier and earlier in the year. As a rule, our bodies are not yet prepared for such high temperatures.
This makes it all the more important to be prepared for these dangers and to protect yourself and others from extreme heat.
Here are a few tips:
Especially for people 65+: don't forget to drink throughout the day. This is important because older people in particular no longer have the same sensation of thirst. That's why older people need to drink regularly even if they don't feel thirsty. A glass of water every hour. You cannot drink too much. Avoid coffee or alcoholic drinks in hot weather. These dehydrate the body.
Hang up wet cloths in the home, as evaporating water cools the surrounding air.
Use a fan to cool down or get a fan.
Switched-on electrical appliances, even in stand-by mode, give off heat, so it is best to switch them off.
External shading such as roller shutters provide more effective protection from the heat than internal shading such as curtains.
Wear appropriate clothing
- Wear loose, light and breathable light-coloured clothing that allows air to circulate around your body. Light-coloured clothing reflects the sunlight. This means that your body heats up less.
- No major activities, take care of your health.
- Above all, protect your head with an appropriate cover, as the brain is particularly at risk from overheating.
- Avoid physical exertion at least during the hottest hours of the day (approx. 11-18 hrs). Listen to the radio so that you can take ozone pollution into account.
- Move shopping or other errands and sporting activities to the cooler morning and evening hours.
- Stay in cars as little as possible when it is hot, as they heat up particularly quickly. This is particularly dangerous for older people and children. Your dog will also quickly suffer from heat stress in the car.
- Sensitive medicines must be stored in a warm environment in the refrigerator. Otherwise they will lose their effect.
- In hot weather, cool your body from the outside with wet towels on your legs, arms, face and neck.
- Moisten the skin with a wet sponge or water from a spray bottle without drying yourself afterwards.
- Also take cooling showers or foot baths during the day.
- Supply the body with plenty of minerals, preferably by drinking, as the body loses these when sweating.
- Avoid protein-rich foods such as meat. This increases body heat. Instead, eat fruit, cool salads, yoghurt, quark dishes, etc. Eat small meals with as much water as possible.
Sharpen social behaviour in hot weather
Pay attention to your circle of friends, family and neighbours, especially if they belong to the risk groups or live alone.
Talk to people at risk about appropriate behaviour in hot weather.
Keep in regular contact with the people you care for.
If you belong to a particularly vulnerable group of people, find out about support services, e.g. shopping assistance.
Place a clearly legible telephone list with contact persons and doctors near your telephone.
Heat-related illnesses
In extreme cases, heat can lead to fatal heatstroke. Acting quickly at the right moment can save lives.
If the following symptoms occur, call the emergency number 112 immediately.
- Repeated violent vomiting
- Sudden confusion
- Clouding of consciousness or unconsciousness
- Very high body temperature (over 39 degrees Celsius)
- Seizure
- Circulatory shock
- Severe headache
The following measures may be helpful until the emergency services arrive:
If the person is not breathing, an experienced first aider should perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiac massage.
If the person is breathing but unconscious, place them in the recovery position to ensure that they can breathe freely.
Move the person to a cool, shady place and place cool, damp cloths on their forehead, neck, arms and legs.
Use a fan or fan the person with fresh air until the emergency services arrive.