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Thursday, 03 August 2006 |
 It’s another beautiful sunny day here in paradise, but we should remain aware of the dangers of the heat. The majority of Europe is currently in the grips of a heatwave. There have been days when it has been hotter in the UK than here in the Costa Blanca. But whilst we may get more used to the heat if we are living here, we ignore the warnings at our peril. In 2003, 27,000 people across Europe died as a direct result of the heat.
Here, we publish some guidelines* for keeping cool. This is not to replace advise given by your own medical practitioners, but is given to increase awareness of the problems, and how following simple rules can reduce your risk to becoming overcome by the heat.
Rule 1 – Stay in the Cool
• The hottest part of the day is between 11am and 3pm. If oy can, don’t go ouside during those times.
• Don’t do strenuous activities during the hottest part of that. Even if you are in the shade, the effects can creep up on you. So avoid gardening, glof, sunbathing and all those other things we love.
• If you need to be outside, cover up. Wear loose, light clothes, preferably made from cotton. Wear a hat to keep the sun off you head.
Rule 2 – Stay Cool
• Stay inside, in the coolest rooms in your house.
• To keep room cool, close curtains to windows which are exposed to direct sunlight.
• If a room is cooler than it is outside, shut the windows. When the temperature rises, then open the windows. Keep as many windows open at night to maximise cooling and ventilation (of course, you must also consider security risks).
• Shower or bathe regularly in cool water. Splash cool water on your face and back of your neck several times a day, especially if you feel hot.
Rule 3 – Drink Regularly
• Even if you don’t feel thirsty, you should drink regularly.
• Don’t drink alcohol, tea or coffee. Water and fruit juices are best.
• Its also important to eat regularly. Go for fruit and salad as much as possible as this is an extra source of water.
Rule 4 – Ask for Advice
• Don’t be afraid to contact your medical expert if you feel you are suffering from the heat. This is especially important if you are taking any kind of medication.
• Be aware of the symptoms of heat exposure, and look for them in others, especially children and older people. Symptoms include; headaches, dizziness, confusion, fainting,nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, cramp, pale skin, sunburnt skin and high temperatures.
• Know that you can take some simple steps to help someone who are showing first signs. Get them to a cool place, rest, and drinking water should see an improvement. If not, seek professional medical help.
Where to find help.
 On most major beaches, there will be a small medical hut, often run by the Cruz Roja (Red Cross). They will be able to help in the majority of cases.
However, in emergency, dial 112 and call for an ambulance.
If you are close to a local hospital, you can go there directly. Click here for a list of the major hospitals on the Costa Blanca…
*These guidelines are based on those published by the UK National Health Service. Click here for more information.
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