The first major heat wave of the year is coming, and a Level 2 heat alert has taken effect on Saturday, the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGYK) and the National Directorate General for Disaster Management announced to MTI Friday morning.
As the announcement confirmed, the Chief Medical Officer issued a Level 2 heat alert for the entire country, effective from Saturday until midnight on Tuesday, based on HungaroMet Hungarian Meteorological Service Nonprofit Ltd.’s forecast confirming that temperatures will reach almost 40 degrees Celsius. It was emphasized that the sudden rise in temperature can place a particular strain on the body, thus it is important to prepare for the heat wave in advance and to pay extra attention to elderly relatives as well as one’s own health.
Photo: MTI/Kocsis Zoltán
Staying hydrated is crucial in extreme heat, as the body loses water and minerals at an accelerated rate; whenever possible, choose water or sugar-free beverages, and avoid coffee, alcohol, soft drinks high in caffeine and sugar, and fatty foods, they added.
To prevent illness, avoid staying in direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day—typically between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.—and refrain from strenuous physical activity.
Intense sunlight can cause sunstroke and, in more severe cases, heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, fever, and confusion. In such cases, you should immediately move to a cool, shaded area, cool your head, and drink fluids; in more severe cases, call an ambulance.
It is recommended to wear light-colored, breathable clothing, UV-protective sunglasses, and use sunscreen with a high SPF, as well as lip balm with UV protection. For children and young people, they recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that provides both UVA and UVB protection. It is important to stay in the shade and ensure that your home is properly shaded and ventilated, they added.
They emphasized that when going to the beach, you should never jump into the water when your body is overheated; instead, cool down slowly and gradually. Water from street fountains is not suitable for cooling off, thus it is better to use misting stations or cool yourself by wetting your wrists or the back of your neck, for example. They emphasized that sudden heat waves can take a toll even on healthy individuals; however, the elderly, young children, and those with heart or circulatory conditions may be more sensitive to the heat, hence special attention should be paid to them.
It is a good idea to call or visit elderly relatives and acquaintances who live alone every day to make sure they are drinking enough fluids and can keep their homes cool enough, they wrote.
The first heat wave of the year can be particularly taxing, as the body has not yet adapted to prolonged heat. Conscious preparation and following safety precautions can help us cope more easily with the summer weather.
They emphasized that the interior temperature of a car parked in direct sunlight—or even in partial shade—can exceed 70 degrees Celsius during such periods, making it life-threatening to remain inside. Never, not even for a single minute, leave a child, an elderly person, or a pet in a parked car. If anyone sees a child or pet left in a car parked in the sun, call the emergency number 112 immediately.
A fire ban is in effect in several counties, covering forests and the area within 200 meters of them. Where a fire ban is in effect, it is prohibited to light fires in or near forests, even at designated fire pits. A map on the disaster management agency’s website shows where the ban is currently in effect; barbecuing or cooking in a cauldron in your own yard is permitted, but the fire must not be left unattended.
During heat waves, the number of carbon monoxide-related alerts spikes. Chimney draft decreases during heat waves, so carbon monoxide can build up around open-flame water heaters. Last year, heat alerts were in effect for a total of 27 days; during that time, firefighters were dispatched 121 times due to carbon monoxide. The highest number of alerts—27 in total—occurred on June 26, when a Level 3 heat alert was in effect.
A list of air-conditioned facilities available to the public is available on the disaster management agency’s website.
Information on current heat alerts and other hazard warnings is available in real time through the Disaster Management Agency’s VÉSZ app. It is worth downloading the app to prepare in time for extreme weather conditions, the announcement concludes.
Via MTI; Featured image: Pixabay