Hot tips to cool down – safely through extreme heat
Sunshine and blue skies are part of summer for many. However, prolonged heat waves can pose health risks. Infants, toddlers, elderly people, and those with chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable.
With a few simple measures, the body can be effectively protected:
Drink enough: Regularly drink about two to three liters of water, unsweetened tea, or juice spritzers. The drinks should not be ice cold.
Avoid exertion: Physically demanding activities should be scheduled for the cooler morning hours. The midday heat should be avoided as much as possible.
Keep living spaces cool: close shutters or curtains during the day and ventilate preferably in the morning, evening, and at night. In attic apartments, slightly open windows can help to let trapped heat escape.
Turn off electrical devices: ovens, stoves, computers, televisions, and lamps generate additional heat – partly even in standby mode. Devices that are not needed should therefore be completely turned off and unplugged.
[advertisement placement="medium_rectangle" align="right"]Never leave anyone in the car: Children, elderly people, or animals must never be left in a parked vehicle, even for a short time. The interior can become life-threateningly hot within minutes. If you find a helpless person or animal in a car during high temperatures, you should immediately seek help and, in an emergency, contact the police or emergency services.
Mutual attentiveness is also important: citizens are asked to look out for people who are obviously not feeling well. Especially older or living-alone neighbors may need support during extreme heat – for example, with shopping, errands, or through regular personal contact.
Further information, especially for risk groups, is provided by the Federal Centre for Health Education. The brochure "Heat Protection Saarland" from the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Women and Health of Saarland is available in numerous shops in the city centre as well as at the information desk in the town hall and in the city library.
