High temperatures and heat waves are becoming more common. The following tips and good habits will help you keep cool in hot weather.
Take advantage of cooling islands in the city. There are plenty of places in Brussels where you can seek coolness (municipal buildings, green areas, swimming pools, libraries,...):
Map with urban cooling islands
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or others, it is time to cool down and take appropriate measures to cool down your home or workplace. Pay particular attention to the elderly and young children.
- Discomfort
- Dehydration
- Sleep problems
- Skin rash
- Sunburn
- Limb swelling
- Exhaustion
Prolonged exposure to the sun and/or high temperatures can leave you with heatstroke. The consequences can be severe and prompt action is needed to cool down the affected person.
How can you protect yourself?
The person should be cooled immediately by resting him/her in a cool room. A shower or a cool bath are the most effective ways, but you can also spray water on the skin and clothes. Contact your doctor.
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Wear suitable clothing with head covering (hat, cap,...).
Avoid hard exercise.
Refresh your body (shower, bath, swimming pool, spray water).
Find cool places (see map with urban cooling islands).
Drink lots of cool or room-temperature water (avoid ice-cold water and alcohol).
Pay attention to people who are sensitive to ozone. Go outside as little as possible during periods of heat to reduce exposure.
Pay attention to vulnerable people (young children and the elderly).
You can register isolated elderly people for follow-up during heat waves with the CPAS-OCMW of Brussels: Heat wave plan
Above all, do not leave people in a car in the full sun.
If necessary, contact your doctor or call 112.
Follow good practices to cool down your home:
- Ventilate only during the cool hours (morning and night).
- Install shutters, screens or awnings to prevent overheating through windows. Close shutters during warm hours and ventilate as much as possible at night and in the morning.
- Provide dense vegetation around your building.
- Install green roofs and/or paint your roof white to reduce heat absorption.
- Improve the insulation of your home.
- Move your bedroom to the coolest part of your home.
- Install a fan. Remember to buy it before the heat wave. Have it checked in the spring. A fan works better on damp skin. Use it in combination with a diffuser for maximum effect.
- Adjust your bedding.
Ask an architect for more structural modifications to your home.
Pay attention to the danger of falling for children when windows and/or balconies are open. Pay attention to young children. Make sure they cannot reach windows and doors.
Avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
Apply sunscreen to your skin regularly.
Wear appropriate clothing with head covering (hat, cap,...).
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Drink cool water regularly (at least 1.5 litres a day at rest). Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
Pay attention to the colour of your urine. If it is darker than normal, you should drink more.
Don't eat too heavy, too fatty or too salty, but choose fresh fruit and vegetables.
Give young children a bottle of water regularly.
If you exercise in high temperatures, you are at higher risk.
Avoid sport during the hottest hours of the day. Try to schedule your sporting activity in the morning.
Drink plenty of water or isotonic drinks.
Listen to your body.
Read the general tips to prevent complaints from too much heat and ozone:
- External siteHot weather and ozone peaks (Bruxelles Environnement, in French)
- External siteHeat wave (Crisis Centre, in French)
