Tips to face the heat wave in the Canary Islands

For the assignment of risk levels, an algorithm has been established that includes the expected maximum temperatures, threshold temperatures and risk factors.

red notice on June 27, 28 and 29 in Agüimes, mogan, San Bartolome de Tirajana, Santa Lucia de TirajanaVillage of St nicolas.

orange notice on June 27, 28 and 29 in Artenara, Ingenuity, saint brigid, tejeda, telde, Valsequillo and Vega de San Mateo.

orange notice on June 27 and 28 in bird.

yellow notice on June 27 and 28 in Ancient, Port of Rosario and tuineje.

yellow notice on June 27 and 28 in San Bartolomé and aunts.

The General Directorate of Public Health, which has coordinated the Preventive Actions Plan for the Effects of Excess Temperatures on Health in the Canary Islands since 2004, has established an epidemiological surveillance system of the impact of high temperatures on the health of the population, coordinated with the assistance and emergency centers of the Canary Islands, as well as the notification to said centers and to the affected town halls of the forecast of alert situations. In addition, Public Health provides information to the media aimed at providing useful advice and practical measures to prevent the effects of exposure to high temperatures.

orange notice on June 27 and 28 in Arona, Granadilla de Abona, La Orotava, San Miguel de Abona and Vilaflor.

Temperature thresholds and risk levels

The temperature thresholds established in 2023 are 33 degrees Celsius for the province of The Gran Canarian palmsand 34 degrees Celsius for the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The criteria for assigning the levels of risk to health for situations of excess temperature, determined by the Ministry of Health, is based on a decision algorithm. Based on this algorithm, based on the expected maximum temperatures, the established threshold, the number of days of persistence, which is specified in a minimum of three, and the risk factors of each territory, four risk levels are determined:

◦ Level 0 (green), of absence of risk.

◦ Level 1 (yellow), low risk.

◦ Level 2 (orange), medium risk.

◦ Level 3 (red), high risk.

decalogue of recommendations

Vulnerability to high temperatures includes personal risk factors, such as being over 65 years of age, infants, pregnant women, etc., environmental, local and occupational risk factors, among others. The recommendations addressed to the vulnerable population especially are:

• Stay as long as possible in cool, shaded or heated places, and refresh yourself whenever you need to.

• Reduce physical activity and avoid practicing sports outdoors in the central hours of the day.

• Drink water or liquids frequently, even if you don’t feel thirsty and regardless of the physical activity you do.

• Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or very sugary, as they can promote dehydration.

• Pay special attention to: babies, minors, pregnant or lactating women, as well as the elderly or people with diseases that can be aggravated by heat (such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, pathologies that impede mobility, dementia and other mental illnesses, as well as drug or alcohol abuse). Although anyone can suffer from a heat related problem.

• Wear light, loose clothing that allows perspiration.

• Do not leave anyone in a parked and closed vehicle (especially people who are minors, the elderly or those with chronic illnesses).

• Consult a health professional for symptoms that last more than an hour and that may be related to high temperatures.

• Eat light meals that help replace the salts lost through sweat (salads, fruits, vegetables, juices, etc.).

• Keep medicines in a cool place; heat can alter its composition and its effects.