The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) has issued a set of recommendations on its website, drawing attention to the forecasts by the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), which anticipates rising temperatures starting today, with highs potentially exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some regions of the country, urging citizens to exercise caution.
It recommends that people stay in cool or air-conditioned environments for at least two to three hours a day, avoid direct sun exposure, particularly between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., use sunscreen with a factor of 30 or higher, reapplying it every two hours and after swimming in the ocean or pool.
The DGS also advises citizens to wear light-colored, loose, lightweight clothing, covering most of the body and not to forget a hat and sunglasses with ultraviolet protection.
The agency further recommends avoiding outdoor activities that require significant physical exertion, such as sports and leisure activities, choosing cooler times of day for car travel, and avoiding staying inside parked vehicles exposed to the sun.
It emphasizes paying special attention to groups more vulnerable to heat, such as children, the elderly, chronic patients, pregnant women, and outdoor workers, noting that children under six months should not be exposed to direct or indirect sunlight.
It also reminds people to contact and check on the elderly and others living in isolation, ensuring they are properly hydrated and staying in cool, airy environments, and advises citizens to stay informed about weather conditions to adopt necessary precautions.
In emergencies with warning signs like intense sweating, fever, vomiting/nausea, or rapid/weak pulse, individuals should contact SNS 24 at 808 24 24 24 or call the European emergency number 112.
Due to the hot weather, 12 districts in mainland Portugal will be under an orange warning this weekend, the second most severe in a three-tier scale issued by IPMA whenever there is a “moderate to high risk meteorological situation.”
IPMA forecasts a gradual rise in temperatures by about 10 degrees Celsius, with expectations that highs will surpass 40 degrees in some regions over the weekend.
