Advice to people travelling to Southern and Eastern Europe impacted by heatwaves
Many countries in southern and eastern Europe are suffering heatwave conditions, which are forecasted to continue over the coming week.
Exposure to excessive temperatures can cause illness such as heat stress and heat stroke, so the following advice to people travelling to Southern and Eastern Europe will help keep you and your family safe:
- Be aware of the weather forecasts for your destination
- Follow the local heat-health alert advice
- Consider who in your party is most vulnerable – e.g. young children and older people - and plan around making sure they are protected from excessive heat including the following advice:
- Drink plenty of fluids; avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine, as these can dehydrate you
- Avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day
- Take regular breaks indoors or in a shaded place to cool down
- Limit your physical activity to cooler parts of the day, such as morning or eveningKeep your room(s) cool (draw blinds/curtains to block out the daytime sun); open windows when the air outside is cooler than the air inside – so mornings and evenings)
- Take a cool bath or shower if you feel too hot
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes
For more detailed advice check out our heat health advice and to protect you and your family from UV radiation wear sunscreen, and follow the SunSmart advice.