Heat wave: tips to avoid suffocation

Between June and September, France experiences episodes of intense heat, which are sometimes difficult to bear. For better endure overwhelming heat, here are our simple tips to put into action:

• Wear loose, light, light clothing, prefer cotton, which lets air pass through and absorbs perspiration.
• Drink regularly without waiting to feel thirsty, mainly water, possibly squeezed fruit.
• Never alcohol. Avoid sodas and other sugary drinks. Avoid high-caffeine drinks (diuretics)
• Use a fan and mist : mist the uncovered areas first then ventilate the wet areas with the manual fan. Repeat as many times as you want, as soon as you are dry.
• During the hottest hours, rest in a cool place.
• Take cool but not cold showers because the body would otherwise produce energy and heat to warm it up. You should also avoid cold showers because they can cause thermal shock.
• Cool down and get your body wet (at least the face and forearms) several times a day
• Prefer raw fruits and vegetables and cold dishes for meals (salad, gazpacho, etc.).
• If cooking is necessary, avoid cooking in the oven to avoid being exposed to the heat.
• Limit physical activity as much as possible
• Avoid all effort: gardening, DIY, etc.
• If an activity is obligatory: never in the sun.
• Wet your t-shirt and cap before putting them on, let them dry on the skin and repeat the process.
• Wait until the evening for a “cool” walk.

• Elderly people are particularly vulnerable in extreme heat. They must :
• Spend several hours a day in a cool or air-conditioned place
• Wet the body regularly to lower their body temperature (damp cloth, damp glove on the face, arms, neck, mist on the face, etc.)
• Drink enough (around 1.5 liters of water, i.e. the amount of water they are able to eliminate) without waiting until you are thirsty
• Eat enough (if necessary by splitting meals) to provide the mineral salts necessary for the body.

Heat quickly exposes infants and young children to dehydration which can be serious. During a heat wave:

• Keep children in a cool and cool atmosphere discover them.
• Born never leave children alone in an overheated place, a poorly ventilated room or a car, even for a few seconds.
• Offer drinks regularly and plan to take sufficient quantities of water when traveling

Barricade your house to protect it from the sun’s rays

• Lower the blinds and close the shutters exposed to the sun.
• Close the windows and shutters during the day on the sun side. They can be left open on the shade side if this allows for drafts. If so, hang a damp towel to cool the room. If drafts are not possible, leave everything closed.
• Open the windows in the evening when the sun has set and the outside temperature has dropped significantly.
• Leave windows open at night if possible to create air currents.
• If the home cannot be cooled: plan to spend several hours a day, every day, in a cool place, close to your home and identified in advance (shop, air-conditioned cinema, etc.).