The right steps to take to protect yourself and your loved ones in case of extreme heat

One heat surge is an episode characterized by intense heat, short duration (over 1 to 2 days), or high temperatures that persist over time. An episode of heat wave is very hot during the day and night at least 3 consecutive days. Find on the website of the Ministry of Health the main information on the health effects of Heat waves and their definitions.

Adopt the right reflexes!

Exposure to extreme heat poses a significant health risk for everyone, especially for the most vulnerable: the elderly, young children, pregnant women, people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, or those taking certain medications and those who are precarious. Simple actions can help prevent serious accidents, such as dehydration or heatstroke. Do not hesitate to take all precautions before the first signs of bodily suffering, even if they seem insignificant to you!

The main heat-related disorders are fatigue, which can cause dizziness, malaise, muscle cramps, and dehydration. Other symptoms may include constipation, weight loss, and low blood pressure and tachycardia. With heat, the body has difficulty regulating its temperature, and other symptoms may develop:

• warm, red, dry skin;
• headache;
• nausea;
• drowsiness;
• unusual aggressive behavior.

The most serious risk is heatstroke, which can result in death.

During hot weather, protect yourself by taking the following actions:

• keep cool;
• Drink water and choose jelly or sparkling water for people who drive on the wrong side of the road.
• avoid drinks with high caffeine content such as coffee, tea or high sugar content such as sodas;
• wet your body;
• Close shutters and windows.
• focus on soft activities;
• eat fresh and balanced food;
• avoid alcohol;
• hear from the most vulnerable;
• if you feel unwell, call 15.

It is also important to monitor your diet. Eat enough, in fractions during the day if necessary and eat in a balanced way favoring food rich in water (fruits, raw vegetables, cold soups, compotes, etc.). Finally, avoid eating or drinking frozen products.

Keep your accommodation cool

Here are a few recommendations to keep your accommodation cool:

• During the day, close the shutters as soon as the sun hits the window or before going to work in the morning. Also close the windows as soon as the outside temperature exceeds that of your home. If your home has multiple exposures, keep the windows closed on the sun's side and open on the shaded side if it allows drafts.
• To cool the rooms, by evaporation of water, you can hang a damp cloth in front of an open window on the shaded side.
• Open the windows at night and create air vents to remove the heat stored inside.
• Use fans and misters. You can place an ice pack or a bag of ice cubes in front of a fan.
• Avoid operating appliances that produce heat: hotplates, oven...

It is also possible to place heat-resistant films on the windows. These can repel up to 90% of solar radiation before it enters rooms.

The most vulnerable people: registering on the heatwave register

The heatwave register allows you to list on a communal file those who wish to be helped in case of heat waves. This is a service free and confidential. This file is updated twice a year. Its purpose is to locate the most at-risk populations, who will be contacted regularly by their city's services throughout the alert period, to ensure they do not need help. During these calls, agents also remind people of basic advice to avoid the risk of dehydration and to cool off. If the person called does not respond, and the non-response is considered worrying, the Communal Center for Social Action (CCAS), which is responsible for these calls, can contact the municipal police who will travel and who can, as a last resort, contact the firefighters.

Three categories of persons may be registered in this register, on condition that they reside at home :

• persons aged 65 years and over;
• persons over 60 years of age recognized as unfit for work;
• disabled adults (public defined according to the municipalities), professionals or persons close to them.

Registration request must be completed or by the data subject (or its legal representative) or by a third party (the person's entourage or service).

For the exact terms and conditions, ask your local council.