The Heatwave Plan of the Nice Communal Center for Social Action is designed to prevent the social disasters caused by the 2003 heatwave. Isolated elderly individuals succumbed to the heat. France was moved by this tragedy. The government took steps and established a National Heatwave Plan, characterized by three alert levels, defining actions in the fields of prevention and crisis management, which relies on the mobilization of everyone (state, local communities, associations, health professionals, etc.). Every commune in France had to implement a system to address an event similar to that of 2003. In Nice, since 2004 a plan has been in place to assist people in difficulty.
Christine Talario, head of the Senior Social Service of the CCAS in Nice, specifies: “We must keep an up-to-date register of isolated vulnerable people living in the commune of Nice, with the establishment of a single helpline for all information and registration.” The number 04 93 135 135 allows anyone from Nice to report an isolated person who would need help in case of a heatwave. The CCAS then contacts the person and if they wish, they can be listed on this register. They can call themselves to get assistance from June 1 to August 31. This service is concerned with people aged 65 and over, adult disabled individuals, and people recognized as unfit for work. The social service and 80 volunteers from the CLIC (Local Center for Gerontology Information and Coordination) are ready to be mobilized if level 2 is triggered (3 consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 31°C during the day and 24°C at night).
“We monitor the thermometer. We are essentially at the core of the prevention system. We collaborate with the Institute for Health Surveillance (InVS). We work over three days to detect a heatwave, not just a single day’s occurrence. We calculate the perceived temperature and do not rely solely on the thermometer reading. Wind and humidity levels greatly affect the heat experienced by individuals,” explains Claude Léglantier, departmental director of Météo-France.
The intense summer heat has not yet reached the Alpes-Maritimes. It is important to anticipate, and the City of Nice, through the CCAS, will act if a heatwave occurs in the department. Christine Talario recalls the summer of 2003 on the French Riviera: “In 2003, perhaps because we in the south are accustomed to living with heat, the Alpes-Maritimes were less affected than the Ile de France, but we must not forget that there are isolated people who will need assistance.” The number 04 93 135 135 exists for these people from Nice in difficulty.
Precautionary Principles
Some principles may seem logical, but it is important to recall them to better cope with the heat:
– Drink and continue to eat
– Drink as much as possible, even without thirst (at least 1.5 liters of water per day),
– Do not consume alcohol,
– Eat as usual, if necessary by splitting meals, and preferably fruits and vegetables (unless you have diarrhea).
– Cool down
– Stay inside your home in the coolest rooms. If you do not have a cool room at home, go to and remain at least 2 hours in air-conditioned places or, if not available, in shady or cool places: supermarkets, cinemas, museums… near your home.
– Take regular showers or baths throughout the day and/or moisten your body several times a day using a mister or a washcloth. You can also moisten your clothes.
– Protect yourself from the heat
– Avoid going out and activities during the hottest hours (usually between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.) and even more so physical activities: sports, gardening, DIY…
– If you must go out, stay in the shade.
– Wear a hat, light (cotton) and loose-fitting clothes, in light colors.
– Carry a water bottle with you,
– Close shutters and curtains on sun-exposed facades.
– Keep windows closed as long as the outside temperature is higher than the indoor temperature.
– Open them at night to create air drafts.
– Seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist
Especially if you are taking medications or if you experience unusual symptoms.
– Do not hesitate to help or to seek help.
– Ask for help from a family member, a neighbor if the heat makes you uncomfortable.
– Inquire about the health status of isolated, vulnerable dependent individuals in your surroundings and help them eat and drink.
– Register them on the register of isolated vulnerable individuals.
More information on the CCAS website:
[https://www.ccas-nice.fr/article.php3?id_article=182](https://www.ccas-nice.fr/article.php3?id_article=182)
