Heat wave in Nice: how to cope with the heat?

At the end of June, thermometers are gradually rising on the French Riviera. With temperatures expected to reach up to 40 degrees by the end of the week, and departments on orange alert. The air becomes drier and heavier and the nights shorter and uncomfortable. While heat waves return every year, it is always important to remind ourselves of the steps to take during this difficult period ahead.

Take precautions, even before the heat arrives

For elderly people living alone, the important thing is to register directly on the municipal register at the Nice town hall to ensure assistance if needed.
Don’t forget with others either, you also need to check in with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that treatments don’t require special monitoring or adjustment with rising temperatures.

And of course, stay attentive to weather forecasts to be aware of potential alerts, with episodes often sudden on the French Riviera.

Stay indoors!

Whether at home or in a cool place. First, you must make it a habit to close during the day your shutters, windows, and thermal insulation curtains. The goal is to keep the coolness of the night inside and block the external heat.

Ideally, you combine this with fans to circulate air. And as soon as the external temperature is lower than the internal one, you air out.

Obviously, avoid the oven and stove as much as possible, everything heats up quickly.

Stay well hydrated, eat well

Water will be your most faithful ally. Being thirsty during a heat wave is already too late, as dehydration has often already been triggered. It is therefore essential to drink at least 1.5 liters of water throughout the day. Conversely, alcohol, tea, coffee, and sodas worsen dehydration.
For people who have swallowing difficulties, gelled or sparkling water should be preferred.

As for eating, balance is the golden rule. So avoid meals that are too light or too heavy, which increase internal heat through longer digestion. Instead, focus on fruits, raw vegetables, vegetables, compotes, or cold soups, anything that is rich in water and can be eaten in small portions throughout the day.

Frozen products should also be reduced, as they can easily cause digestive thermal shock.

And better occupy yourself

The time slot 11am-6pm is particularly to be avoided for outdoor activities. If you want to garden, go shopping or simply take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, it’s best done early in the morning or in the evening.

Libraries, shopping centers and air-conditioned cinemas will be your best assets to get through the hot period, especially for children whom you keep at all costs in a cool environment.

In PACA, urban areas concentrate 75% of the population, which makes these reflexes all the more essential. The good news is that Nice has a real set of cool spots: its 189 parks and gardens, some with drinking water fountains distributed throughout the city, allow you to cool off and hydrate without looking far. Furthermore, the Nice town hall can also direct you to “cool spots” or dedicated spaces.

Finally, to cool down your body, cool showers, avoiding too cold ones, misters, damp cloths, and lightweight clothing should be favored.

Think of others and check in on them

One of the most important things is to check in on everyone. Especially people with disabilities, those suffering from chronic illnesses, elderly and isolated people, infants, who are all more vulnerable to this heat.

The goal is to remain vigilant and in contact: phone, visit, it can prevent the worst. If in doubt, call your doctor or pharmacist.

When to be alert?

In case of headaches, no sweating, burning skin, confusion, this is a heat stroke. In that case, call, especially in case of discomfort, the emergency number 15 without delay.

The right steps to take with a dehydrated person while waiting are: lay them down, remove excess clothing, cool them down quickly, fan them, give them something to drink.

These small steps and habits can save lives and make the difference.