Heat: Recommendations from Civil Protection – How to protect yourself from high temperatures

A rise in temperature over the next few days in most of the country will be caused by warm air masses from western Europe and the coast of northern Africa moving towards our region, according to the Emergency Deterioration of Weather Bulletin issued today Friday 22 July 2022 by National Meteorological Service (NMS). The areas that will be affected are mainly the western, central and northern country, as well as the islands of the south-eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese.

From Saturday (23-7-22) to Monday (25-7-2022), and while the minimum temperature values ​​initially will not be particularly high, the maximum values ​​will vary as follows:

• a. on the mainland, temperatures of around 39 to 40 degrees Celsius are predicted, while due to local conditions (microclimate, low winds), and especially in areas inside the mainland that are not affected by sea breezes, the temperature will be one to two degrees higher (41 to 42 degrees Celsius). More specifically, areas of central Macedonia, Thessaly, Sterea and Peloponnese will be affected.
• b. on the Ionian islands, the Dodecanese and southern Crete, temperatures of around 35 to 37 degrees Celsius are predicted.
• c. in the rest of the island country, temperatures of around 33 to 35 degrees Celsius are predicted.

In particular, for Attica the maximum temperature will reach 39 to 40 degrees Celsius, while in the coastal areas it will be 3 to 4 degrees lower.

According to the forecast data available so far, although a slight drop in temperature is expected from Tuesday (26-7-22) in the eastern continental regions, the maximum as well as the minimum temperature values ​​in the lowland areas of central Macedonia, Thessaly and Solids will be maintained until Thursday (28-7-22) at high levels.

Citizens can be updated daily on the development of extraordinary weather phenomena in the regular weather reports of EMY and on the website of EMY at the online address www.emy.gr.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, has informed the competent government agencies involved, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, so that they are on increased civil protection readiness, in order to face directly the effects of the prevalence of high temperatures.

At the same time, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection recommends that citizens be particularly careful, ensuring that self-protection measures are taken against risks arising from the prevalence of high temperatures.

In areas where high temperatures are expected to prevail, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) draws attention to people belonging to vulnerable groups to be especially careful in the coming days, in order to avoid health problems, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which may be caused by the high temperatures that will prevail.

In particular, according to the guidelines for self-protection against high temperatures, citizens are advised to:

• Stay in cool and shady places away from overcrowding, use air conditioners or fans and avoid heavy physical work in places with high temperature, apnea and high humidity.
• Avoid sunbathing, as well as walking or running under the sun and wear a hat and sunglasses and light-colored clothing made of fabric that allows the skin to ventilate and facilitate the evaporation of sweat, avoiding synthetic fabrics.
• Consume light meals with fruits and vegetables, limiting fats and the amount of food.
• Drink plenty of water and fruit juices, avoiding alcoholic beverages.
• Special care is recommended for babies and young children, as well as the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases to protect them from high temperatures

For more information and instructions on self-protection from high temperatures, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr and the website of the Ministry of Health:

https://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/health/dieythynsh-dhmosias-ygieinhs/ygieinh-periballontos/prostasia-se-ektaktes-katastaseis/9128-prolhpsh-twn-epiptwsewn-apo-thn-emfanish-ypshlwn- thermokrasiwn-kai-kayswna

and

https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/6%CE%96%CE%91%CE%91465%CE%A6%CE%A5%CE%9F-%CE%9E%CE%9E%CE%A4 ?inline=true

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