Heat wave warning

High temperatures can trigger exhaustion and heatstroke and worsen existing conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, or mental illnesses. Therefore, it is essential to follow helpful advice and recommendations for behaviour during extreme heat that can prevent or at least mitigate the harmful effects of heat on health, and to follow heat wave warnings from the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service.

Cool your home:

• Try to cool down your living space. Measure the room temperature between 8 and 10 a.m., at 1 p.m., and again after 10 p.m. Ideally, keep the room temperature below 32 °C during the day and below 24 °C at night. This is especially important for children, seniors aged 60 and above, or people with ongoing chronic health conditions.
• Use the cooler night air to cool your home. Open all windows or blinds at night and in the early morning when outside temperatures are lower (if possible).
• Reduce the amount of hot air inside your apartment or house. Close windows and blinds (if you have them) during the day, especially those that face the sun. Turn off all artificial lights and as many electrical appliances as possible.
• Put shade screens, curtains, and awnings on windows that receive morning or afternoon sunlight.
• Hang wet towels to cool the air in the room, but remember that this increases the humidity in the air.
• When using air conditioning, close the doors and windows to avoid using more energy than necessary.
• Electric fans can provide relief and refreshment, but if the temperature is above 35 °C, they will not prevent heat-related illnesses.

Avoid the heat:

• Take shelter in the coldest room of the apartment or house, especially at night.
• If you cannot keep the apartment or house cool, try to spend 2-3 hours a day in a cool place (e.g., a public building with air conditioning).
• Avoid going out in the hottest part of the day.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity. If you must do hard work, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Look for the shade.
• Do not leave children in a parked vehicle.
• Do not leave animals in a parked vehicle.
• Apply sunscreen regularly with a protective factor against harmful UV radiation. Special care should be given to newborns and small children.
• Adjust your exposure to the sun’s UV radiation by taking into account the daily changes in the UV index value.

Cool your body and drink enough fluids:

• Avoid being in the sun between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., especially children, pregnant women, elderly people, and people with heart disease and diabetes.
• Take a shower or bath in lukewarm water. Another option is to wrap yourself in cold, wet towels, use a wet sponge to cool down, take foot baths, etc.
• Wear light, loose, and light-coloured clothing made from natural materials. When you go outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap along with sunglasses.
• Use light bedding and sheets, preferably without pillows, to avoid heat accumulation.
• Drink regularly, but avoid alcohol and drinks with too much caffeine and sugar.
• Eat small meals more often. Avoid foods rich in protein.

Help others:

• Visit family, friends and neighbours who spend most of their time alone. Vulnerable individuals may require assistance on hot days.
• Talk about heatstroke and heat waves with your family. Each family member should understand the protective measures they need to take based on their health and activities.
• If someone you know is at risk, help them get advice and support. Elderly and sick people who live alone should be visited at least once a day.
• If they are taking medication, consult their doctor about how these medications may affect thermoregulation and fluid balance in the body.
• Take a first aid course to learn what to do in the event of heatstroke and other emergencies. Everyone needs to know how to react.

If you have a medical condition:

• Store your medication below 25°C or in the refrigerator (follow the instructions for proper storage in the medication leaflet).
• Consult a doctor if you have a chronic condition or take multiple medications.

If you or others around you feel unwell:

• If you feel dizzy, weak, faint, anxious, or extremely thirsty and have a severe headache, seek help immediately. Go to a cooler area as soon as possible and check your temperature.
• Drink water or fruit juice to replenish your fluids.
• Calm down and lie down in a cool room if you are experiencing painful cramps, especially in your legs, arms, or stomach, often after working or exercising in very hot weather. Drink fluids that contain electrolytes, and seek medical attention if the cramps last for more than an hour.
• Consult a doctor if you experience additional symptoms or if the mentioned symptoms last longer.

If a family member or someone you are helping has hot, dry skin or delirium (talking irrationally and being restless), convulsions and/or is unconscious, call a doctor/emergency medical service immediately. While you are waiting for a doctor/emergency medical service, place the person in a cool room in a horizontal position, elevate their legs and hips, remove clothing and begin external cooling – such as applying cold compresses to the neck, armpits and groin with a fan and spraying the skin with water at a temperature of 25 – 30 °C. Measure the body temperature. Cool the person until the body temperature drops below 38 °C. Do not give acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol. Place unconscious people in a side-lying position.

Important numbers:

• Emergency Medical Service – 194
• The 112 Centre operates as a single communications centre for all types of emergencies.

Source: Ministry of Health