The General Directorate of Public Health of the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS) reports that, according to data provided by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the
Ministry of Health, there is an episode of extreme temperatures with potential health risks that is expected to extend over the weekend.
Therefore, tomorrow Friday, August 8, the different warnings detailed below will be activated and will be active, at least, until Wednesday, August 13:
Red level warning (high risk):
Gran Canaria.- Summit area: Tejeda and Vega de San Mateo, East, West and South area: Agüimes, Artenara, Ingenio, Mogán, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, La Aldea de San Nicolás, Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Telde and Valsequillo.
Fuerteventura: Antigua, Betancuria, La Oliva, Pájara, Puerto del Rosario and Tuineje.
Orange level warning (medium risk):
Tenerife: Metropolitan area: Candelaria, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, El Rosario, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tacoronte and Tegueste.
Lanzarote: Arrecife, Haría, San Bartolomé, Teguise, Tías, Tinajo and Yaiza.
La Palma: Summit area: El Paso.
Yellow level warning (low risk):
Tenerife.- North area: Buenavista del Norte, Garachico, La Guancha, Icod de los Vinos, Matanza de Acentejo, La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos, San Juan de la Rambla, Santa Úrsula, El Sauzal, Los Silos, El Tanque and La Victoria de Acentejo; East, South and West area: Adeje, Arafo, Arico, Arona, Fasnia, Granadilla de Abona, Guía de Isora,
Güímar, San Miguel de Abona, Santiago del Teide and Vilaflor de Chasna.
Gran Canaria: North area: Agaete, Arucas, Firgas, Gáldar, Moya, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Brígida, Santa María de Guía, Teror and Valleseco.
La Palma: East area: Barlovento, Breña Alta, Breña Baja, Puntallana, San Andrés y Sauces, Santa Cruz de La Palma and Villa de Mazo; West area: Fuencaliente, Garafía, Los
Llanos de Aridane, Puntagorda, Tazacorte and Tijarafe.
Recommendations
Under these warnings, the General Directorate of Public Health of the SCS reminds the public of the main recommendations to deal with these high temperatures.
Sensitive and vulnerable population:
◦ Infants and children under 4 years old, pregnant women and adults <65 years old.
◦ People with previous respiratory, cardiovascular, kidney, hypertension diseases.
◦ People with chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus, morbid obesity
◦ People with certain pharmacological treatments: diuretics, laxatives, neuroleptics, anticholinergics, benzodiazepines.
◦ People with cognitive deficits or lack of autonomy
◦ People who consume alcohol or other drugs.
◦ People who perform intense physical activity outdoors
◦ People who live alone, homeless
◦ People with high exposure to heat for work, sports, leisure or tourism reasons
Probable symptoms:
◦ Intense thirst, weakness, general malaise, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headache, muscle cramps, fever or lower than normal temperature, palpitations. And symptoms that indicate severity: fainting, seizures, coma
Recommendations for the general population and especially the sensitive:
◦ Avoid dehydration: drink water and liquids without waiting to be thirsty. Avoid caffeine, sugary and energy drinks and alcohol
◦ Mainly eat light meals, such as salads, vegetables and fruits, avoiding fats and heavy meals.
◦ Take care of fragile and vulnerable people, especially children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Protect yourself from the heat:
▪ Outdoors: avoid exposure to the sun in the central hours of the day, wearing loose clothing, plan intense physical activity first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, and consult the weather forecast when doing outdoor activities.
▪ Reschedule the hours of outdoor work activities.
▪ Indoors: cool the rooms in the extreme hours of the day, avoid the use of appliances that produce heat in the central hours, cool the body with fresh water. Prioritize staying in indoor spaces, if they are air conditioned.
◦ In general, limit the time spent outdoors and avoid intense or prolonged physical activities outdoors during the extreme heat episode.
◦ Consult a health professional for symptoms that require immediate specialized action (weakness, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, fever...).
◦ In case of emergency call 112.