The Lanzarote Security and Emergency Consortium has issued a series of recommendations in response to the heat alert issued by the General Directorate of Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government, in force from this Wednesday.
“We must be foresighted and heed the measures that guarantee the well-being of citizens at all times,” said the president of the Consortium, Francisco J. Aparicio, who also recommends “avoiding hours of high exposure to the sun.”
Likewise, the Security and Emergency Consortium recommends that citizens avoid working in the sun between 09:00 and 18:00 hours while the orange warning is in effect.
In the face of a heat wave, what are the symptoms we should pay attention to?
- If you experience discomfort, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of cramps, excessive sweating, redness of the skin, it is recommended to suspend the activity you are doing, cool off and rest in a cool place and drink water.
- If the symptoms persist or there is no improvement, a visit to the nearest health care point is recommended or call the emergency number 112.
- If symptoms such as elevated body temperature, intense headache, fatigue or loss of consciousness appear, you may be suffering from heat stroke, so you should ask for help immediately, call the emergency number 112.
The Cabildo de Lanzarote also invites the population to be prudent and follow the following recommendations:
Especially to risk groups.
• Protect yourself from the sun and heat.
• It is recommended to stay in places protected from the sun as long as possible and in the coolest rooms of the house. During the hours of sunshine, lower the blinds of the windows where it touches.
• Open the windows of the house at night to cool off.
• It is advisable to use some type of air conditioning (fans, air conditioning) to cool the environment. But remember that if the temperature of your house exceeds 35º, the fan will no longer be effective in lowering the temperature. If you do not have air conditioning, you should be at least two hours a day in air-conditioned places (shopping centers, cinemas, etc.)
• Keep in mind that when entering or leaving these places, there are sudden changes in temperature that can affect you.
• In the street, avoid direct sunlight. Wear a cap or hat, wear light clothing (such as cotton), light colors and not tight.
• Try to walk in the shade, be under an umbrella on the beach and rest in cool places on the street or in enclosed spaces that are air-conditioned.
• Carry water and drink often.
• Never leave children, the elderly or pets inside a closed vehicle.
• Avoid going out and doing prolonged physical exercises in the central hours of the day, which is when it is hotter. Reduce physical activity in the hottest hours.
• Eat light and regular meals, drinks and foods rich in water and mineral salts, such as fruits and vegetables, that help you replenish the salts lost through sweat.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Avoid very hot foods that provide many calories.
• Help others. If you know elderly or sick people who live alone, visit them once a day.
• If you are taking medication, consult your doctor if it may influence thermoregulation or if it needs to be adjusted or changed.
• For any request for information call 012.
Keep calm at all times.
