Greece’s health and civil protection ministries as well as doctors associations issued guidelines to citizens, ahead of the upcoming heatwave forecast to hit the country with temperatures reaching up to 43 degrees Celsius as of Wednesday, July 10, 2023, and for at least six days, if not even longer.
According to media, the government is even considering a day-off for civil servants on Friday, July 14, the peak of the heatwave.
Check also KTG’s: Greece RED ALERT WARNING: Prolonged heatwave with up to 43 degrees Celsius
Special precaution is advised for children, elderly, people with health problems as well as other vulnerable groups such as homeless.
Below you read the heatwave advices of the civil protection, the health ministry on high risk groups as well as the WBGT, the Heat Discomfort Index
Residents and visitors to Greece are urged to:
• Avoid exposure by staying indoors and away from crowds, using air-conditioning or fans where available.
• Avoid strenuous activities like outdoor work, as well as sunbathing, walking or running in the heat.
• Wear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and light clothing – preferably cotton – when outdoors.
• Eat light meals with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, going easy on fatty foods.
• Drink plenty of water and fruit juice, while avoiding alcoholic beverages.
Throughout the heatwave, local authorities will be operating cool rooms providing air-conditioned spaces in community centers and pensioners’ clubs, as well as at sports arenas that will be used to host the homeless.
KTG’s advice
Put a bowl of fresh water for the strays!
When the temperature of the environment rises to limits not tolerated by the human body in synergy with other factors (humidity, apnea, etc.), pathological conditions of varying degrees of severity are created, which can lead to serious illness even to death.
What are the symptoms?
Initial symptoms may be: severe headache, weakness, feeling overwhelmed, tendency to faint, drop in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting and rapid heartbeat.
The heat stroke syndrome is manifested by: sudden increase in body temperature (>40.5 o C), red, hot and dry skin (sweating has stopped), dry swollen tongue, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, intense thirst, headache, nausea, vomiting , dizziness, confusion, inability to orient and speak clearly, aggressive or strange behavior, convulsions, loss of consciousness or coma.
Coping
The treatment of people presenting the above symptoms, when the ambient temperature is high, should preferably be done in nursing institutions, but as first aid until they are transferred to them, immediate measures to reduce the body temperature should be applied:
Transferring the heatstroke victim immediately to a cool, airy, shady preferably air-conditioned place (see above), completely undressing, placing ice packs or cold patches on the neck, armpits and groin area, immersion in a cold water bath or shower or spraying with cold water, giving small sips of cool fluids (water or diluted fruit juice, 1 part juice to 4 parts water) if he can swallow, etc.
Who is at risk from high temperatures?
People at risk of heatstroke are:
elderly
babies and young children
pregnant and lactating women
people who are overweight or obese
people who work or exercise vigorously in a hot environment
people with chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lung diseases, kidney diseases, liver diseases, mental illness, dementia, alcoholism or drug abuse, etc.)
people with an acute illness, such as an infection with fever or gastroenteritis (diarrhea and/or vomiting)
people who for purely medical reasons take medicines for their chronic diseases, such as e.g. diuretics, anticholinergics, psychotropic drugs, hormones (including insulin and antidiabetic tablets).
Especially during the period of high temperatures, they should consult their doctor about the possible modification of the dosage.
General heatwave precautions
What we should do to protect ourselves from the heat:
Stay in air-conditioned rooms.
Dress light and comfortable with light-colored clothing made of porous material to facilitate the ventilation of the body and the evaporation of sweat.
Use of a hat made of material that allows ventilation of the head.
Use of black or dark sunglasses with lenses that protect against solar radiation.
Avoid sun exposure, especially for infants and the elderly.
Avoiding heavy physical work.
Avoid long-hour journeys with non-air-conditioned means of transport.
The means of public transport must take care of the proper operation of their air conditioning, taking into account the aforementioned in the first paragraph of the general instructions (above link), for the best service to the public.
Many lukewarm showers during the day and applying cool compresses to the head and neck.
Small and light meals low in fat, with an emphasis on fruit and vegetable intake.
Drink plenty of fluids (water and fruit juices), especially by infants and the elderly, and avoid alcohol. If sweating is profuse, the additional intake of small doses of salt is recommended.
* People suffering from chronic diseases should consult their treating physician, from whom they will receive additional instructions depending on their condition as well as instructions on the possible change in the dosage of their medication.
The elderly should not be left alone but someone should be provided for their daily care.
The workplaces must have air conditioners or simple fans, preferably ceiling fans, and in any case natural ventilation of the premises. The same applies to institutions, which treat newborns, infants, children, the elderly and people with special needs.
Special emphasis should be given when high temperatures are combined with phenomena of increased levels of atmospheric pollution.
WBGT or Heat Discomfort Index
via EMY.gr
WHITE: Normal activity
GREEN: Discretion for performing heavy work by unacclimated personnel. Index limit value. Frequent water consumption (every 1 hour)
YELLOW: Restriction to intense work for non-acclimatized personnel. Avoid working in unshaded areas. Care for rest periods. Water consumption (per 30 minutes)
RED: It is recommended to avoid working in direct sunlight. Long rest periods. Water consumption (per 15 minutes).
BLACK: It is recommended to stop all outdoor work in areas without shade.
The wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is a type of apparent temperature used to estimate the effect of temperature, humidity, wind speed (wind chill), and visible and infrared radiation (usually sunlight) on humans. It is used by industrial hygienists, athletes, sporting events and the military to determine appropriate exposure levels to high temperatures.
