Most of us enjoy the warm, sunny weather the Maltese Islands characteristically offer during the summer months. However, during a heat wave, when temperatures remain abnormally high day after day, serious health problems can happen and sometimes it can be fatal.

Heat-related illness can affect anyone, but some people are at a greater risk than others. These include the extremes of age groups, including babies and children aged up to four and older people, especially those aged over 65.

Others are people who suffer from chronic conditions such as those with heart and lung conditions, high blood pressure, liver and kidney diseases, those who are overweight or obese and those who suffer from mental health problems.

People on certain medication, for example medication for hypertension, heart failure, anti-depressants and certain antibiotics, are also more at risk from the effect of heat, as are those who have mobility problems and those confined in bed. Heat effects are exacerbated in those who drink alcohol regularly or abuse of drugs.

In order to minimise the health hazards during a heat wave, one should take the necessary precautions. It is important to listen to the weather forecast so that one can plan if a heatwave is on the way.

The best drink to have is water and not to wait to drink until you feel thirsty

Staying hydrated is essential during the whole year. However, drinking is even more important during the hot summer months. The best drink to have is water and not to wait to drink until you feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and large amounts of sugar in your drinks. Apart from this, it is important to eat well-balanced, light and regular meals. Eat more cold food, like salads and fruit, which contain water.

Wearing appropriate clothing during the hot summer months helps to dissipate heat. Choose loose-fitting, lightweight, light-coloured clothes that cover as much skin as possible and when going outdoors wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

The hottest part of the day is between 11am and 4pm, so it is best that people stay inside during these hours whenever it is possible. When staying inside, choose the coolest rooms of your home, preferably on the lowest floor if no air-conditioning is available. Keep the windows closed, while the room is cooler than the outside and then take the opportunity to cool the house during the night by opening the windows.

Leaving children in a car when it’s extremely hot is very dangerous and can lead to death. Photos: Shutterstock

Curtains in the rooms that absorb a lot of the sun have a protective effect. Avoiding using the stove and oven is also recommended, as these raise the temperature of the room. Take cool showers and baths, and frequently wet your hands, face and the back of your neck.

Physical activity is important to stay healthy and it is advised that strenuous activities should be kept for the coolest time of the day, like early morning. If while exerting or working in the heat a person feels unwell, breathless and feels heart pounding, stop, get in the shade or a cool place and rest.

It is also important to take care of others, especially vulnerable people, and one should check on family, friends, neighbours and the elderly who usually live alone and who do not have air-conditioning.

The temperature inside a car can increase by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes and 40 degrees in an hour. Many believe that leaving the windows open will help dissipate heat. However, this does not prevent the temperature from rising to a dangerous level. Leaving children in a car is very dangerous and can lead to deaths. A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s body.

In addition, children have a lot of body surface area that absorbs heat and their bodies have not yet developed the ability to cool down well. Hence, children are more vulnerable to heat. Never leave children or pets alone in a parked car.

One must seek help if they get symptoms of heat, which include cramps in your arms legs or stomach, feeling of weakness, problems sleeping or have feelings of mild confusion or light-headedness. It is advised to rest, stay in a cool place and drink water. If these symptoms persist or get worse, seek medical advice.

Charmaine Gauci is superintendent of public health.