Official Advice

From the Regional Health Agency

(left on car windshields)

Summer Safety: How to Beat the Heat!

If the heat makes you feel bad, you should call the municipal police, your doctor, or 118 (the medical emergency number) [plus a few other options depending on the time of day and day of week].

What to Do

Diet

Drink a lot even if you aren't thirsty (remember that older people are warned less by thirst).  You can drink water (at least 2 liters a day), uncarbonated drinks, and fruit juice (if you are not diabetic).

Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, and food little seasoned and low in fats.  Eat small amounts and more frequently, with snacks in mid afternoon and mid morning, remembering that a gelato can substitute for a meal (if you are not diabetic).

Clothing

Wear clothing comfortable, light, and light-colored.

Use dark glasses and cover your head when you go out.

Daily Life

Go out at cooler times (the first hours of the morning or later afternoon).

During the day repeatedly wet the parts of your body most exposed.  Rest during the hottest hours.  Take only medicines prescribed by your doctor.

Living Environment

Open the windows only during the cooler hours.

If possible, use a fan.

If you have air conditioning set a temperature that is not more than 4 degrees [7 degrees for those of you who think in Fahrenheit] lower than that outside.

Other Useful Tricks

If you live alone or are restricted to your house, try to keep contact every day with someone: a relative, a neighbor, or some friend.

What Not to Do

Diet

Eat food that is heavy, fatty, too seasoned, eat big meals that are hard to digest, or drink alcohol.

Clothing

Put on clothes that are heavy, tight, or dark-colored [Recent example in media].

Daily Life

Go out during the hottest hours of the day.

Do activities tiring or physically stressful during the hottest hours.

Take pharmaceuticals or vary therapy on your own initiative or on the advice of your relatives or acquaintances.

Living Environment

Leave the windows of the house open during the hottest hours.

Set the air conditioning at a temperature too cold respective to the outside temperature.


Got all that?

Michael