Heatwave
What can you do?
BEFORE
- Keep up to date with the weather forecast to find out when hot weather is expected (e.g. via radio, TV, the website or the RMI app).
- Ask your GP about the risks to your health, if you are a person at risk, for example, a cardiac patient, an elderly person, etc.
- If you are taking medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist to find out if it can have a negative impact on your health during a hot spell.
- If you know that people may need help, visit them to help them prepare.
- Do you work with vulnerable target groups? Subscribe to the Department of Care newsletter (Flanders) (Dutch only). That way, you will be kept informed of any activation or change of phase of the national plan for extreme heat and ozone peaks.
DURING
- Drink enough, more than usual. Do not wait until you are thirsty. Give preference to water over soft drinks.
- Are you travelling and have to spend a long time in the bus, train or car? Take a bottle of water with you.
- Wear a cap or hat.
- Is it exceptionally hot? Avoid the sun and stay indoors until it cools off. Is that not possible? Stay in the shade as much as possible, or look for a cool place if your home is too hot, such as a service centre, library or shopping centre.
- Avoid strenuous exercise or sports, especially during the hottest part of the day.
- Wet your forehead and neck regularly.
- Wear light-coloured, lightweight clothing.
- Protect your skin from the sun: use a sun cream with a high protection factor (at least SPF 30, preferably higher).
- If you experience cramps, high fever, headaches 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.
AFTER
- Consult your GP if your condition does not improve.
- Keep drinking.
- Get enough rest.
Read more tips on the website of the AVIQ (French only)
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe a considerable hot spell. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- A heat wave lasts less than 15 days and affects 5 to 10 provinces.
- It is 30°C for 5 to 10 days. For at least 2 days, the maximum temperature exceeds 35°C. Average night-time temperatures stay below 20°C.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Strong
Human impact
Moderate
Societal impact
Very weak
Environmental impact
Very weak
Financial impact
Very weak
What do the authorities do?
In Belgium, the different authorities have drawn up a plan for extreme heat and ozone peaks. The plan consists of three phases:
- Vigilance phase: every year between 15 May and 30 September.
- Warning phase: if the temperature threshold is exceeded
- Alert phase: if:
- the temperature threshold of the warning phase is reached;
- the maximum temperatures for the day are 28°C or higher;
- an excessive concentration of ozone is measured at at least one measuring site;
- additional measures are necessary.
Each regional authority takes measures in the vigilance or warning phase, such as, for example, support for professionals working with vulnerable groups.
- Heat action plan (Flanders)
- Walloon plan for high temperatures and ozone peaks.
- Plan for heat waves and ozone peaks (Wallonia)
When an alert phase is triggered, the federal authorities play a coordinating role.