The government delegate in Cantabria, Pedro Casares, today called on citizens to “increase all precautions” to avoid health problems in the face of the high temperatures expected in the autonomous community from Friday, August 15.
Casares has asked to avoid exposure to the sun, especially in hot hours, stay in ventilated places, eat light food and drink water permanently, as well as dress in light colors, protect your head and avoid physical exercises in the central hours of the day.
For the government delegate, “it is important to follow the announcements that the AEMET makes periodically in its broadcast channels.”
In this regard, Casares has pointed out that red warning has been established for maximum temperatures, which will exceed 40°C on the coast of Cantabria, mainly in municipalities such as Torrelavega, Medio Cudeyo or El Astillero, as well as orange warning for maximum temperatures, greater than 37°C in inland areas such as the region of Liébana, the center and valley of Villaverde or the region of Campoo Los Valles.
“In Cantabria we are not used to having these high temperatures, which also come at a time when patron celebrations are held in many municipalities, so we call for extreme precautions, especially at noon, to avoid health problems,” he said. “All caution is little and more on holidays when a lot of people are on the streets,” he said.
Therefore, Casares has sent to the municipalities of Cantabria the battery of measures established by the Ministry of Health in the National Plan of preventive actions of the effects of excess temperature on health, as well as has advised that in the municipalities where patron saint’s parties are held the programming is altered in the central hours of the day, transferred the activities to hours where temperatures drop and follow the recommendations that the Government of Cantabria has sent in coordination with the Government of Spain.
The government delegate has highlighted the work carried out by the State Meteorological Agency, offering information on a regular basis on the weather in Cantabria in its broadcast channels.
Likewise, the government delegate in Cantabria has asked to avoid activities that could generate fires that in these days are aggravated by high temperatures.
“We are seeing other areas of our country devastated by the fires, and we ask all the prudence and responsibility of the Cantabrians to avoid any activity such as throwing cigarettes, garbage and, especially, glass bottles that make a magnifying glass with the sun, and of course, not lighting fires or fires in the mountain and land,” he said.
Finally, Pedro Casares thanked the “tireless” work being carried out by the state security forces and bodies, the National Police and the Civil Guard, the Military Emergency Unit (UME), the civil protection and emergency services and forest firefighters in so many places in Spain to extinguish fires.
“From Cantabria we send our condolences to the families of the deceased and all our solidarity and support to the wounded and displaced people,” he concluded.
Recommendations for high temperatures
· Limit exposure to the sun.
· Stay in a well-ventilated place.
· Eat light and regular meals, rich in water and mineral salts, such as fruits and vegetables.
· Drink water or liquids frequently.
· Do not consume alcohol in the central hours of the day
· Dress in light-colored clothing, covering as much skin surface as possible and the head.
· Avoid prolonged physical exercises in the central hours of the day.
· Be interested in children, elderly and sick people, and those who live alone or in isolation.
· Keep in mind that high temperatures favor the risk of forest fires.
Recommendations for preventing forest fires
· Pay special attention to the rules of the Autonomous Community of Cantabria on fire prevention and authorized periods for burning stubble.
· Avoid throwing cigarettes, garbage and, especially, glass bottles that make a magnifying glass effect with the sun.
· It is recommended not to light fires or fires in the mountain and grounds.
· Camp only in authorized areas, since these have protection measures against a possible fire and evacuation is easier.
· If you discover the fire at its beginning, call 112 immediately.
· If you are surprised by a fire, avoid entering the mountain or forest. Always go through high-visibility and fuel-free areas.
· In case of emergency due to forest fire, always follow the instructions of the competent authorities.