The National Center for Public Health and Pharmaceuticals (NNGYK) and the National Directorate General for Disaster Prevention (OKF) of the Ministry of the Interior wrote in a joint statement sent to MTI on Wednesday that the national chief medical officer decided to raise and extend the heat alert level in effect from Sunday based on the latest forecast from HungaroMet Zrt.

They wrote that prolonged heat also puts a strain on healthy bodies, but young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with cardiovascular disease are particularly at risk.

Prolonged, warmer-than-average weather can cause health complaints, unpleasant symptoms, and loss of concentration in anyone, they emphasized, asking everyone to pay special attention to the elderly, young children, and chronically ill people.
 

Attention was drawn to the fact that continuous hydration is essential. Whether at work, at the beach or while traveling, water should always be on hand, and care should be taken to replenish minerals.
 

They advised everyone to avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and to avoid outdoor sports, heavy physical work, and gardening during the hottest hours. They recommended staying in cool, shady places whenever possible.

It was noted that it is important to expose purchased foods that require refrigeration to heat for as short a time as possible, as high temperatures promote the growth of pathogens, such as salmonella, and other spoilage microorganisms.
 

They advised using a cooler bag to transport perishable foods – such as raw meat, meat products, milk and dairy products. They added: if the food has become discolored, has become slimy, or has an unpleasant odor, do not consume it.

Motorists were asked to drive carefully, as the extreme heat could have an adverse effect on them, and they were also asked not to leave children or pets in parked cars, even for a few minutes.

If anyone sees a child or animal left in a car in the sun, they should call the emergency number 112 immediately, they wrote.

Those spending their vacation at the beach are also advised to avoid sunbathing during the midday hours, cool down before going into the water, and never jump into the water with a hot body.

Pregnant women should only stay in the sun in moderation, as high body temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, they indicated.

The statement also drew attention to the fact that a fire ban has been in effect throughout the country since July 21, which applies to forests and a two-hundred-meter radius around them.

In the heat, dried herbaceous vegetation can ignite from even the smallest spark or heat source.

Everyone can grill or cook in their own garden, but never leave the fire unattended for a single moment, they asked.

It was reported that firefighters were called in 1,040 cases this summer because they had not seen an elderly neighbor living alone for days or weeks and had to enter the apartment or house.
 

Elderly people living alone often lock themselves in their homes and leave the key in the lock from the inside. Their condition may not allow them to call for help in case of trouble. In hot weather, it is especially important to check on them from time to time, they emphasized.
 

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