The heat wave affecting the Canary Islands will last longer than expected. For this reason and, at least, until Monday, the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands has established red, orange and yellow warnings in Lanzarote.
According to the General Directorate of Public Health, both Arrecife, as San Bartolomé and Tías will be on red alert for high temperatures from this Thursday until next Monday. This means that there is a high risk for the population.
Likewise, Yaiza will be on orange alert for high temperatures between this Friday and next Sunday. To conclude, the municipality of Teguise will suffer during the same period the yellow warning for low risk to citizens.
Decalogue of recommendations
Vulnerability to high temperatures includes personal risk factors, such as being over 65 years of age, infants, pregnant women, etc., environmental, local and occupational, among others. The recommendations addressed to the vulnerable population especially are:
- Stay as long as possible in cool, shady or air-conditioned places, and cool off whenever necessary
- Reduce physical activity and avoid playing sports outdoors during the central hours of the day.
- Drink water or liquids frequently, even if you do not feel thirsty and regardless of the physical activity you perform.
- Avoid caffeinated, alcoholic or very sugary drinks, as they can promote dehydration.
- Pay special attention to: babies, children, pregnant or lactating women, as well as the elderly or people with diseases that may be aggravated by heat (such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, pathologies that make mobility difficult, dementia and other mental illnesses, as well as drug or alcohol abuse). Although anyone can suffer a problem related to heat.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing that allows perspiration.
- Do not leave anyone in a parked and closed vehicle (especially minors, the elderly or people with chronic diseases).
- Consult a healthcare professional for symptoms that last more than an hour and may be related to high temperatures.
- Eat light meals that help replenish the salts lost through sweat (salads, fruits, vegetables, juices, etc.).
- Keep medicines in a cool place; heat can alter their composition and effects.
Other preventive plans in the Canary Islands
In the event of a forecast of high temperatures, the Government of the Canary Islands may activate this Plan for the Prevention of Excess Temperatures on People's Health, with health risk warnings, as well as other plans, such as the Specific Plan for Civil Protection and Emergency Care for Risks due to Adverse Weather Phenomena (PEFMA), through the declaration of alert for a situation of risk for the population, property and the environment.
