Heat waves

During the summer, temperatures can rise significantly.

Exposure to extreme heat affects our bodies and poses numerous health risks. Seniors, infants, children, adults, pregnant women, workers, athletes… we’re all at risk! It’s important to protect yourself, even when the heat is short-lived.

To prepare for heat waves, Santé publique France reminds everyone of some simple tips to follow.

• Drink water regularly without waiting until you’re thirsty;

• Cool off and wet your body (at least your face and forearms) several times a day;

• Eat enough and avoid alcohol;

• Avoid going outside during the hottest hours of the day and spend several hours a day in a cool place (movie theater, public library, supermarket, museum, etc.);

• Avoid physical exertion;

• Keep your home cool (close windows and shutters during the day; open them in the evening and at night if it’s cooler);

• Be sure to check in with your loved ones regularly, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed;

When driving and on long trips:

• Remember to bring water and a spray bottle with you on car trips;

• Stop regularly to rest and cool off: some highway rest areas have water fountains or misting stations available;

• If possible, schedule your trip for cooler times of day;

• Never leave anyone alone in a car, especially a child, as the temperature inside the vehicle can rise very quickly

Whether you're at the beach, in the mountains, in the countryside, or even in the city: protect yourself from the sun so you can keep enjoying it

Whether you’re in your backyard, at a café terrace, at the beach, in the mountains, or in the countryside—or simply out for a walk—protect yourself so that the sun remains a pleasure.

We all enjoy the sun and know its benefits: it boosts our mood and helps produce vitamin D. To reap these benefits, the WHO recommends exposure of less than 15 minutes for fair skin to 1 hour for dark skin before noon and after 4 p.m. in geographic areas such as mainland France. Because we sometimes forget that the sun can also pose risks. Exposure to UV rays has many negative effects on the skin, the most immediate of which are sunburn and tanning. In fact, skin tanning is a protective reaction of the skin. Consequently, tanned skin is a sign of damage caused by UV rays (from the sun or tanning lamps) and is not a sign of healthy skin cells.

Since the use of protective measures is far from systematic, it is important to remind people:

• Avoid sun exposure between noon and 4 p.m. or whenever the UV index is above 3;

• For daily UV index forecasts, you can consult the Météo-France forecast map

• However, if you go outside between noon and 4 p.m., don’t forget to:

  • wear protective clothing (a T-shirt or shirt with sleeves and a hem that reaches at least below the knee),

  • wear a wide-brimmed hat,

  • wear sunglasses with wraparound frames and lenses with UV filters (CE standard, category 3 or 4).

Finally, for exposed areas, apply sunscreen generously to fully benefit from its SPF. Don’t forget to reapply it every 2 hours or as soon as you get out of the water. Using sunscreen should not lead to prolonged sun exposure, even on cloudy days: you would lose all the protection it offers against skin cancer!

Be even more vigilant with children, as their skin is less able to protect itself. Whenever possible, children under one year of age should not be exposed to the sun. Sun exposure during childhood is the leading cause of skin cancers (including skin melanoma, which is the most serious form) in adulthood.

Among all cancers, skin melanoma is one of the most common cancers among adults under 40. It is one of the cancers with the highest increase in incidence among men in recent years (+3.4% on average per year between 2010 and 2018), with an increase also observed among women (+2.4%).

Accidental Drownings: All Ages and All Locations Are at Risk

Whether at the beach, in a river, lake, or pool, summer is the perfect time for swimming and water activities. But every summer, accidental drownings result in hundreds of hospitalizations and an average of nearly 4 deaths per day. In France, according to the results of the 2018 NOYADES survey, between June 1 and September 30, 2018, 1,649 accidental drownings were recorded, 25% of which resulted in death. Children under 6 accounted for 28% of accidental drownings and 9% of deaths, while people aged 65 and older accounted for 22% of accidental drownings and 35% of deaths.

Most drownings are preventable. Swimming carries risks at all ages. It is important to teach children to swim as early as possible or at least to get them accustomed to the aquatic environment, and it is never too late to learn to swim, even as an adult. Regardless of the swimming location, a child must always be under constant supervision and closely monitored by a single responsible adult; ideally, the adult should swim with the child. Adults should take their health into account: do not swim if you feel unwell (fatigue, health issues, chills), do not overestimate your physical condition or swimming ability, avoid alcohol consumption, and enter the water gradually, especially after prolonged sun exposure. It is also necessary to consider the swimming environment, especially in rivers, lakes, and the ocean; to check weather conditions; and, in general, to follow safety guidelines, swimming restrictions, and to swim only in supervised areas marked by swimming flags.

Summer is often a great time for outdoor activities and walks. For those who enjoy forest walks and hikes, campers… Be careful of ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease to humans through the bite of an infected tick. Ticks are widespread throughout France and live in wooded and damp areas, tall grass in meadows, and forest and urban parks. They are most active between April and November.

To avoid being bitten by a tick, the best prevention is to protect yourself by wearing long, closed-neck, light-colored clothing (to spot them more easily) and a hat for young children. Whether you’re a professional or an outdoor enthusiast, be prepared!

In France, in 2018, an estimated 68,530 people were affected by the disease (Sentinelles network).