At a glance
During heatwaves, it's essential to adopt a few basic habits to protect yourself. Here are a few tips.
Even though sunny weather is good for the mood, it's essential to adopt a few basic habits to cope with a heatwave.
It's not unusual to endure intense heat during the summer months. Not without health risks, a heatwave should not be taken lightly. Here's how to protect yourself from the heat and cope with a heatwave.
Our tips for coping with a heatwave
- Close shutters, blinds and curtains exposed to the sun;
- Close windows and outside doors as long as the outdoor temperature is higher than that of your home;
- Air the house as much as possible at night, creating cross-breezes;
- Ideally, stay home, in the coolest and/or air-conditioned spots;
- If you have to go out, stay in the shade and dress lightly;
- Drink plenty of fluids (around 2 litres of water a day), even if you're not thirsty;
- Avoid alcohol;
- Avoid going out between 11am and 4pm;
- Do as little physical activity as possible;
- Cool down and moisten your body several times a day;
- Take care of more vulnerable people (elderly people and young children);
- Also protect your (domestic) animals: keep them out of the sun and give them cool water.
A few handy tips:
- Place a frozen bottle of water in front of a fan: the air blown out will be noticeably cooler!
- Want to "keep a cool head" during your nap? Put your pillow in a plastic bag and leave it in the fridge for a while before using it...
Click here for more useful tips if you need to hit the road during a heatwave.
What to do in case of heatstroke?
Someone suffering from heatstroke is in danger. It's therefore essential to immediately call emergency services or see a doctor (depending on the severity of the case).
In the meantime, move the affected person to a cool place, get them to drink, cover them with damp cloths and create air currents around them.
