Advice issued as heat wave takes hold in Portugal

Lisbon: The Directorate-General for Health has warned that situations of extreme heat, such as those predicted for the coming days, pose health risks, recommending that people drink water, avoid alcoholic beverages and opt for cool or air-conditioned environments.

In a set of recommendations published on its website, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) recalls the warnings from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), which predicts a rise in temperatures from today, with maximum temperatures likely to exceed 40 degrees in some regions of the country, and asks citizens to exercise caution.

It recommends that people stay in cool or air-conditioned environments for at least two to three hours a day, avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially between 11:00 and 17:00, use sunscreen with a factor of 30 or higher, reapplying it every two hours and after swimming at the beach or pool.

It also advises citizens to wear light-coloured, light and loose clothing, to cover most of the body and not to forget a hat and sunglasses with ultraviolet protection.

The DGS also recommends avoiding outdoor activities that require great physical effort, particularly sports and leisure activities, and choose the cooler hours to travel by car, not staying inside parked vehicles exposed to the sun.

They also emphasizes the need to pay special attention to groups that are more vulnerable to heat, such as children, the elderly, the chronically ill, pregnant women, and workers who work outside, and says that children under six months of age should not be exposed to direct or indirect sunlight.

Elderly people and other people who live in isolation should be contacted and monitored, ensuring that they are properly hydrated and stay in cool, airy environments, and advises citizens to stay informed about weather conditions so that they can take the necessary precautions.

In case of emergency, if there are warning signs such as intense sweating, fever, vomiting/nausea or rapid/weak pulse, you should contact SNS 24, on 808 24 24 24, or call the European emergency number 112.

Due to the hot weather, 12 districts in mainland Portugal will be under an orange warning over the weekend, the second most serious on a scale of three, which is issued by the IPMA whenever there is a “meteorological situation of moderate to high risk”.

The IPMA predicts a gradual rise in temperatures of around 10 degrees Celsius, with highs expected to exceed 40 degrees in some regions of the country over the weekend.