Recommendations to the citizens to be especially careful, taking care to take self-protection measures from risks arising from the prevalence of high temperatures, the general secretariat of Civil Protection addresses due to the heatwave with the name “Kleon” prevailing in the country.

In areas where high temperatures are expected to prevail, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.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 facilitates 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.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.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 directly face the effects of the prevalence of high temperatures.

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

https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/%CE%A8%CE%9C%CE%9F1465%CE%A6%CE%A5%CE%9F-%CE%9A%CE%9D%CE%94

In particular, issues concerning the prevention of thermal stress of workers are given in the following document of the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs:

https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/6%CE%A1%CE%9B646%CE%9C%CE%A4%CE%9B%CE%9A-%CE%A16%CE%9F

It is noted that in the updated Emergency Bulletin of Dangerous Weather Phenomena (EDEKF) issued today Friday, July 14, 2023 by the National Meteorological Service (EMS), it is pointed out that from Sunday (16-07-2023) until the middle of the coming week will be limited to geographical extent the areas that will be affected by high temperatures and the intensity of the heat will be reduced. At the same time, a temperature drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius is predicted, mainly in the east and the north. However, the annual wind (meltemi) will reach 6 to 7 Beaufort, which means that there is an increased risk of fire.

Towards the end of next week there is a tendency for the temperature to rise again, a phenomenon which is being monitored and its evolution will be better evaluated in the coming days.

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.