Heat waves, critical issues in Bari and Foggia

Heat waves, critical issues in Bari and Foggia

Bari and Foggia are the cities monitored by the Civil Protection due to the heat waves expected this weekend.

A level 1 alert is expected for both cities today, but a level 2 alert will be triggered tomorrow.

LEVEL 2 IN BARI AND FOGGIA, THE ADVICE

The level 2 indicates weather conditions that may represent a health risk, particularly in the most susceptible population subgroups (go to the Who risks the most section).

General advice

• Consult your city’s bulletin every day.
• Avoid exposing yourself to heat and direct sun during the hottest hours of the day (between 11.00 and 18.00): high temperatures and humidity can cause symptoms associated with heat and burns.
• Avoid particularly busy areas, in particular for very young children, the elderly, people with asthma and other respiratory diseases, non-self-sufficient or convalescent people. Go to public places such as parks and gardens during the cooler hours of the day.
• Go out in the cooler hours
• Spend the hottest hours of the day in the coolest room of the house, bathing yourself often with cool water.
• Ensures adequate air exchange: the natural ventilation determines better air exchange compared to mechanical ventilation.
• Use the air conditioner correctly. If you only have a fan, use it following some precautions (read the brochure How to improve the microclimate of your home).
• Wear light, light clothing made of natural fibers (e.g. cotton, linen), cover your head with a light-colored hat and use sunglasses.
• Protect your skin from sunburn with sunscreens with a high protection factor.
• Drink liquids, moderating the intake of carbonated or sugary drinks, tea and coffee. Also avoid too cold drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• Follow a light diet, prefer pasta and fish to meat, avoiding processed and spicy foods; consume lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. Pay attention to the correct storage of perishable foods (e.g. dairy products, meat) as high temperatures can favor the proliferation of pathogenic germs causing gastrointestinal diseases.
• If you take medications, do not independently suspend ongoing therapies but consult your doctor for any adjustments to your drug therapy.
• Pay attention to the correct storage of medicines, keep them away from heat sources and direct sunlight and place those with a storage temperature no higher than 25-30°C in the refrigerator.
• If the car is not air conditioned, avoid traveling during the hottest hours of the day (11.00-18.00). Don’t forget to bring sufficient supplies of water with you in case of unexpected queues or queues.
• Do not leave dependent people, children and the elderly, even for a short time, in the car parked in the sun.
• Make sure that sick and/or bedridden people are not covered too much.
• Offer assistance to people at greater risk (for example elderly people who live alone) and report any situations that require intervention to the social and health services. In elderly people, a warning sign is the reduction in some daily activities (moving around the house, dressing, eating, regularly going to the bathroom, washing) which may indicate a worsening of the state of health.
• If you have symptoms of heat-related disorders, contact a doctor (go to the Health risks section).