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Victoria Mindova

Sweltering heat are seizing Greece, and the meteorologists this weekend expect the temperatures to reach record levels of 41^oC in the southeast part of the country. So far, according to the official figures more than 350 thousand residents and visitors of Athens have left the mainland in Greece from the port of Piraeus to escape the burning heat of the Mediterranean sun in the middle of August. For all who did not have a chance to be escape somewhere at the sea side and remained in the city Dr. Jenny Arhimandrou gives some tips on how to survive the summer easier exclusive for GRReporter.

While the first recommendation is trite it advises the citizens and tourists in Athens to avoid sun exposure between the hours of eleven in the morning and six in the evening. If traveling around the city is inevitable, it is recommended that adults and children wear lightweight summer hat and a bottle of mineral water. People in the elderly, those with low blood pressure or with heart problems and parents with youngl children are advised to remain indoors and in some cool place to avoid unintended consequences such as overheating or sunstroke. "We must be responsible to ourselves and our loved ones, in order to prevent the dangers of the summer heat at our annual vacation," says Jenny.

In the hot summer days we should choose more carefully our clothes, which in order for you to feel as comfortable as possible under the rays of the burning sun must be loose and in bright colors and to wear open shoes so as not to retain heat. Other recommendations that will make our lives easier during the summer heat in addition to drinking plenty of fluids include also to avoid alcohol (in general) and heavy meals in the middle of the day. Fruit and vegetables are the preferred snak because they recover faster the water in the body after eating doughy products. Great danger lies in the sudden change of temperature in air-conditioned indoor and outdoor environments, with amplitude exceeding 20 degrees.

The heat may be, however, the most dangerous for small children up to two years. Infants in their first months have immature sweat glands and sweating, which is the main mechanism for cooling does not work with them. They have increased metabolism and feel the heat more strongly than adults, making overheating of the body of infants a lot easier. Some of the symptoms of overheating in the babies are when the child refuses to eat, becomes restless and sleepy and may even get a fever and start vomiting. To prevent this, children in the heat must always be wearing thin and loose clothing of natural fabrics (mostly cotton), which allows the body to breathe and wear a bright hat. Walks in the gardens at lunchtime are not recommended nor are tilt baby carriages, which only stews the child and increases the temperature in the carriage.

Elderly people also need to be careful and avoid walking in the sun in the sweltering heat. 80-years-old Marigo from Athens explains that in the warm weather she avoids leaving the home or she spends her time in the homes of friends with an air conditioner. She makes her walk to the supermarket early morning before half past nine or at about seven o’clock in the evening. In the summer, however, her favorite hours of the day are after nine in the evening when at the small square in front of the church in the neighborhood she gathers with friends and talk about their children.