The Departament de Salut of the Generalitat de Catalunya has presented the campaign "El ABC del calor" to reinforce prevention against the increase in heatwaves. The initiative brings together basic recommendations to reduce the effects of high temperatures on the population and will be disseminated through print, audiovisual, digital platforms, and social media of the department.
The campaign focuses on a common paradox during episodes of intense heat: the most vulnerable people can become dehydrated even if they do not feel thirsty. Salut highlights this as one of the main alerts, especially for children, the elderly, and patients with chronic illnesses.
Salut focuses the campaign on air, drinking, and home
The message is structured around three concepts: Air, Drink, and Home. With this structure, the department summarizes the guidelines it considers most useful both outdoors and inside the home during the hottest days.
Outside the home, Salut recommends seeking cool, sun-protected spaces, using shaded areas, and going to available climate shelters. It also asks to avoid going out during the central hours of the day.
Hydration occupies a central part of the campaign. The department advises drinking water regularly even without feeling thirsty, as well as avoiding alcohol and heavy meals.
Homes without air conditioning should spend two hours in cool spaces
Inside homes, the recommendations include lowering blinds during the hours of greatest sun exposure and ventilating at night, when temperatures drop. For homes that do not have a fan or air conditioning, Salut suggests spending at least two hours a day in air-conditioned spaces such as libraries or shopping centers.
Those who work outdoors should protect their heads with caps or hats and increase their water intake. In the case of physical activity, the recommendation is to move sports practice to the cooler hours of the day.
In addition, the department asks to reinforce surveillance of people who may be more exposed to heat. The specific recommendation is to visit family members or elderly people who live alone every day to check their health status and confirm that they maintain adequate hydration.
The campaign also includes guidelines for pets and advises walking them during cool hours, ensuring they have water available, and keeping them in shaded areas.