Spain and Portugal for Visitors

Posted by : John Ross on Jul 26, 2006 - 12:03 PM environment

The heatwave affecting Europe has not passed Spain by, and maximum temperatures here are currently in the mid-thirties, rising, and expected to reach 40ºC. INM, the Spanish Meteorological Institute, considers this to be normal for a Spanish summer, but has issued orange alert warnings for much of the north of Spain and the Balearic Islands. Nine people have died so far in Spain as a result of the heatwave, most strikingly (considering that the most vulnerable sectors of the population are very young children, the sick and the elderly), a number of middle-aged men who had been working or taking exercise outdoors in the middle of the day.

The regions where the alert has been declared are Castile and León, Cantabria, the Basque Country, La Rioja, Navarre, Aragón, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. Read on for recommendations on coping with the heat, or visit the Spain and Portugal for Visitors Weather pages.

The most dramatic result of a heatwave is heat stroke, which is essentially the collapse of a body's temperature regulation mechanisms. It can be deadly, and its appearance is often sudden, so it requires immediate attention. However, the heat has other effects of varying degrees of seriousness depending on who is affected. Heavy sweating can lead to dehydration, and the heat can have a treacherous, suppressive effect on respiration. The following safety precautions are a summary of those recommended by the Spanish Health Ministry, the INM and by the Spanish Red Cross. Follow them, and make sure your children and elderly folk in your care do as well.
Precautions:
- Avoid direct sunlight. If outdoors, seek shade.
- Avoid outdoor activity, especially strenuous activity and especially when it is hottest, in the middle of the day (2-4 o'clock).
- Spend as much time as possible in cool places, indoors in air conditioned places or in the shade.
- If it is impossible for you to avoid outdoor activity in the middle of the day:

• drink liquids, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT THIRSTY (two and a half litres of water a day are recommended),
• rest frequently,
• protect yourself from the sun (wear a hat and some clothing, or at least use sunscreens)
• cool your head from time to time (wet it),
• and use a fan.

- If you feel unwell, find a cool place and ask for help.
- Indoors, stay in the coolest rooms in the house.
- Never leave children or elderly people inside a closed vehicle.
- If driving a long distance, stop frequently to rest and cool off, and drink liquids.
- Cool off as often as possible (take lukewarm showers or baths, or even cold ones).
- Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose clothing, and a hat or cap which shades your forehead and neck.
- Even your footwear needs to be light and cool and allow transpiration.
- Eat light meals. Salads, fruit, vegetables, gazpacho or fruit juice help to replace ions like sodium and potassium which are lost when you sweat.
- Drink abundant fluid (water, fruit juice...) unless you have medical reasons not to.
- Avoid alcoholic drinks and caffeine.
- Keep your medication in a cool place. High temperatures may alter their properties.

The Cruz Roja, Spanish Red Cross, has a tracking service for high-risk people such as the sick or elderly, which requires prior registration through your local authority or the Red Cross itself. In addition, the Red Cross Heatwave Contact Centre will provide further information on request and will also divert the call to the relevant emergency service if you have caled because you do not feel well.
Red Cross Contact Centre, telephone: 900 22 22 99.