Start of the seasonal heat wave

cp-veille-saisonniere-canicule-010617.pdf

Published on 2 June 2017

As is the case every year, the national heat wave plan—with its first level of "seasonal alert"—has been activated since June 1. Now that the first heat wave has passed, the Directorate General for Health and Santé publique France are reminding the public of the best practices for protecting their health and caring for those around them during a heat wave.

During the summer, France may experience heat waves, which are characterized by very high temperatures both day and night lasting for at least three consecutive days. As a reminder, here are some tips for staying safe during a heat wave:

Drink water regularly without waiting until you feel 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, 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);
Remember to check in regularly with your loved ones and, whenever necessary, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

The 2017 National Heat Wave Plan is organized into four alert levels, each corresponding to specific prevention and management measures.

The "seasonal watch" level, activated on June 1, involves the early mobilization of regional government services (prefectures, ARS, etc.). These agencies implement tailored and enhanced prevention and communication measures for the general public, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable individuals (the elderly, isolated individuals, people with disabilities, those in precarious situations or who are homeless, those with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnant women, young children, outdoor workers, etc.).

Each municipality establishes a registry to identify elderly individuals and people with disabilities who request to be included. Those registered will be contacted and monitored in the event of extreme heat.

In 2016, four heat waves occurred during the summer

In 2016, weather conditions were particularly unusual, with a succession of four heat waves between mid-July and mid-September. Santé publique France recorded nearly 700 excess deaths during the first heatwave (July 17–20, 2016), both nationally and in five regions (Brittany, Hauts-de-France, Centre-Val de Loire, Pays de la Loire, and Grand Est).