Essen warns: heat wave is imminent! How to protect yourself properly!

Essen warns: heat wave is imminent! How to protect yourself properly!

In the next few days, the population in Essen and the surrounding area will be confronted with a heat wave that will bring temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius. The city has warned urgently about the associated health risks. Older people, children and people without a permanent address in particular are among the particularly vulnerable groups, as derwesten.de reports.

The city administration provides clear recommendations to protect the health of citizens. Everyone should wear loose clothing and provide themselves with sufficient sun protection and sun protection. A big appeal is also made to people to avoid the midday sun and to avoid unusual physical exertion. If you like to spend time outdoors, you should also stay in cool rooms and drink plenty of water to avoid fluid loss. Especially in summer, adequate fluid intake is crucial to prevent poor circulation.

Dangers to health

The consequences of extreme heat can be serious. If you suspect heat stroke, you should call 112 immediately. Symptoms include increased body temperature, dizziness, headaches and nausea. In the worst case, this can lead to impaired consciousness. Children are particularly vulnerable to the heat because they cannot yet optimally regulate their heat balance and sweat less, as the AOK explains in an article. Parents should make sure to protect their children from the blazing sun, dress appropriately and offer them enough fluids without letting them out of their sight.

A striking example of the dangers of heat waves was the summer of 2003, when around 7,000 people died due to heat in Germany. This has caused hospitalizations and heat-related deaths to rise in recent years. Health problems such as headaches, malaise and circulatory problems can also occur. An important point in this context is that although the human body can adapt to high temperatures, this adaptation only works with sufficient fluid intake.

Practical tips for hot days

So your health won't fall by the wayside in the hot months if you follow a few tips. Recommended measures include adjusting daily routines with cool living environments, light meals and increased protection of the skin and eyes from UV radiation outdoors. In particular, the electrolytes lost during sweating should be replaced with appropriate food intake and additional fluid intake to avoid exhaustion and muscle cramps, as gesund.bund.de points out.

The population in Essen also has a convenient option for consuming water. Drinking water dispensers are available on Kennedyplatz in downtown Essen to quench your thirst and provide enough fluids. This way everyone can get through the hot days safely and maintain lasting health.