Heat warning for Bremen: How to protect yourself from the summer heat!

Heat warning for Bremen: How to protect yourself from the summer heat!

The citizens of Bremen are warned: On Wednesday, August 13th, the Hanseatic city will experience “severe heat stress”. According to the Bremen health authority, temperatures of up to 36 °C can be expected, which can not only be unpleasant but also pose a health risk Weser report reported. The heat is a challenge, especially for health-vulnerable groups in the population. These include older people, small children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses.

There are clear recommendations to protect health in this extreme temperature range. Drinking is the be-all and end-all: Even if you are not thirsty, you should drink fluids regularly, preferably water or unsweetened drinks. The Bremen health authority also warns against alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks. For people with kidney or heart disease, it is important to seek medical advice beforehand. In the city center, where the heat is particularly concentrated, citizens should keep their living spaces cool by keeping blinds and curtains closed during the day and only ventilating early in the morning or late in the evening.

Heat and its health consequences

The extreme heat can have far-reaching health consequences. The RTL guide explains that the body tries to maintain its temperature at around 37°C, which can cause enormous stress when the outside temperature is above this value. At temperatures above 37°C, the body is no longer able to cool itself, increasing the risk of heat stroke. Symptoms such as extreme headaches, nausea and dizziness are harbingers of serious health risks. In the summer of 2018, around 8,000 people died in Germany due to heat - an alarming number that strongly urges caution.

It becomes particularly critical in the car: the interior can rise to temperatures of up to 70 °C within a very short time. Therefore, under no circumstances should you leave children, pets or weakened people in the vehicle. Loose, light-colored clothing and cooling measures such as foot baths and moist compresses can help tolerate the heat.

Tips for cooling down

The Federal Center for Health Education gives additional tips for coping with the heat: keep the home cool, eat light meals and adapt your daily routine to the high temperatures. It is advisable to retreat to the shaded area and drink enough fluids before feeling thirsty. Calling the Bremen health authority for individual advice is also an option. The hotline is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The coming days in Bremen promise to be heated. It is important for everyone affected by the heat wave to take the advice seriously and take good care of themselves and others. Health should always come first - because heat can quickly become a life-threatening hazard.