To help healthcare professionals and other experts who work in the environmental and/or healthcare sectors (such as Municipal Public Health Service professionals, environmental health experts, environmental nursing experts, specialists in environmental medicine, communication staff and so on), RIVM has collected a series of tips that they can use when giving information about heat.
The texts can be downloaded from this page.
What can you do to keep cool (and help others keep cool as well)?
Get enough to drink
Drink water, tea or coffee. It is a good idea to drink fluids often, even if you are not thirsty. Drink alcohol in moderation.
Tip: always carry a bottle of water with you, especially when you are going outside or going somewhere in the car.
Keep yourself cool
Stay in the shade and limit your physical activity in the afternoon (between the hours of noon and 18:00).
Tip: if you need to go shopping or want to go for a walk, try to do so in the mornings and evenings when it is cooler. Take a cooling bath, foot bath or shower.
Keep your home cool
Try to minimise the sunlight and heat that enters your home, for instance with shades and window coverings, fans or air conditioning.
Tip: let in extra fresh, cool air by opening windows and doors at times of day when the air outside has cooled off.
Look after each other
During hot weather, pay extra attention to the people in your community who may need your help.
Tip: pay them an extra visit or call and ask what you can do to help.
Medicines and heat
Some medicines can lead to health problems during hot weather, because the water and salt metabolism in the body becomes imbalanced. This can lead to dehydration, not sweating enough and feeling unwell.
Talk to your GP or pharmacist if you have questions about taking your medicines during hot weather.