Heatwave warning
For the past few days, Belgium has been facing high temperatures. The National Crisis Centre has issued an article and recommendations that you will find below.
An exceptional heat wave
The heat will persist in Belgium this week and will only intensify in the coming days. Today, temperatures could already reach 32 degrees in places, especially in the far south of the country. From tomorrow maximum temperatures will reach and exceed 35 degrees in most regions, and an orange alert will be in effect over almost the entire country. In addition, nighttime temperatures will also remain particularly high. Over the weekend, a thunderstorm system may lead to a slight drop in temperatures. In addition, the concentration of ozone in the air will be exceptionally high over the next few days.
The alarm phase of the national plan for high heat and ozone peaks has been activated by the Risk Management Group of the FPS Public Health.
Check the weather forecast on the IRM website or by downloading the IRM app.
The right reflexes
- Simple measures can help you cope better with this heat wave:
- Don't wait until you're thirsty, and drink more than usual, but avoid alcoholic drinks, coffee, sugary drinks.
- Are you leaving your home? Always carry a water bottle/water bottle with you.
- Outside, wear a cap or hat.
- Avoid the sun and stay indoors until it gets cooler. You can't do it? Stay in the shade as much as possible or look for a cool place if your home is too hot, such as a library or shopping mall.
- Close windows and curtains on facades exposed to the sun as long as the outside temperature is higher than the inside temperature and only open them when the worst heat has passed, i.e. early morning, evening and night.
- Avoid strenuous physical exercise or sports, especially in the heat of the day.
- Wet your forehead and neck regularly.
- Wear light, light-coloured clothing.
- Protect your skin from the sun: use a sunscreen with a high SPF (at least SPF 30, preferably higher).
- If you are experiencing cramps, high fever, headache or fainting, call your GP.
- Call 112 immediately if your body temperature is very high (40° or higher).
- Do not leave people or animals in a parked vehicle.
- Recommendations for:
- Event organizers, large or small: make sure you take the necessary measures to protect your visitors.
- For employers: take care of the health of your employees (use of prevention advisors, etc.)
Special measures can also be taken at the local level, and/or in particular sectors such as events, education, etc. Check your municipality's communication channels (website, social media) to find out more.
Call for solidarity
For the majority of the population, this heat wave, although exceptional, does not represent a vital danger. However, we advise you to carefully follow the good habits described above until the warmer temperatures return.
For other more vulnerable people, this exceptional heat can really represent a danger. Think in particular of children, the chronically ill, the elderly and/or socially isolated, who do not always have access to the right information, or who are not aware of the danger. Do you have any in your entourage (family, neighbours, etc.)? If so, proactively check in with them, or better, come and visit them.
Together, let's stand together, and take care of others!
Interruption of TEC services in Hainaut and Walloon Brabant
(source: L'Avenir – lavenir.net-TEC)
Following the high temperatures, the TEC has decided to completely interrupt its lines from today between 1.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. in the provinces of Hainaut and Walloon Brabant. Indeed, less than 40% of the buses on these two networks are air-conditioned. The other TEC networks (Liège-Verviers, Charleroi and Namur-Luxembourg) are not affected by the measure.
Outside these hours of suspension, buses will run at the times provided for in the timetable.
