here are the recommendations of the Haute-Garonne prefecture
Météo France has placed twelve French departments on heatwave red vigilance from this Friday at 4 p.m. Among them: four Occitan departments: Haute-Garonne, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne and Gers. Monthly and even absolute records could be close to falling this Friday, June 17. The thermometer could exceed the 40 degrees in Toulouse and not drop below 25 the next night.
At the end of a new meeting of the Departmental Heatwave Committee, provided for by the ORSEC plan “health management of heat waves”, the Haute-Garonne prefecture draws up a series of recommendations and advice for everyone.
- Educational institutions : parents who wish, and who are able to do so, could keep their children at home and not send them to school or college tomorrow Friday. Schools and establishments maintain the reception of students for those who could not be looked after by their parents. Nevertheless, if the school buildings do not modify the reception conditions adapted during the heat wave, it can be organized in most cases a reception in another place. High schools remain open and exams are maintained.
- Collective reception of minors: group reception outings for minors (child protection establishments and services, leisure reception, holiday stays and scouting reception) must be postponed unless these take place in cooler places without the need for exhibitor travel in the heat. Access to water must be specifically guaranteed.
- Companies: it is up to each employer to re-evaluate the risks incurred by each of the employees on a daily basis, depending on: the temperature and its evolution during the day, the nature of the work to be carried out (in particular outdoors or in environments already presenting high temperatures, or work involving a physical load) the age and state of health of the workers.
Depending on this reassessment of the risks: the development of the workload, working hours and more generally the organization of work must be adjusted to guarantee the health and safety of workers throughout the duration of the red vigilance period . The list of employees benefiting from teleworking must be reviewed, paying particular attention to pregnant women, people suffering from chronic pathologies or with disabilities, etc. work carried out at a very high temperature and involving a significant physical load (for example insulation work on the roof or covering, repeated handling of heavy loads), the employer must then decide to stop the work.
- People in a precarious situation : day patrols have been intensified with two teams carrying out daytime rounds in Toulouse (whereas usually patrols are only done at night at this time of year), in particular to distribute water. The prefect has ensured that the Food Bank has a sufficient stock of water. The night stopover in Toulouse has been open since yesterday at 2:30 p.m. instead of the usual 6 p.m. The camps are equipped with a water point. Health/precariousness associations carry out regular patrols.
- Sporting and cultural events and large outdoor gatherings : arrangements must be made for the holding of events in good conditions: the report during the coolest hours of the day, the deployment of protective measures such as waiting and parking in shaded areas, access to water, cooled places, provisional emergency devices. Otherwise, we prefer the organizers to cancel or postpone their event.
- Athletes : it is advisable to drastically limit any activity outdoors and indoors without air conditioning.
Finally, it is advisable to be particularly vigilant about the risk of forest fires, particularly sensitive at this time. The active prefect from this Friday the departmental operational center, steering body for crisis management at the level of Haute-Garonne.
Heat wave: what to do
During the hot weather, here are the reflexes to adopt by all:
- Drink water regularly without waiting to feel thirsty.
- Cool down and wet your body (at least your face and forearms) several times a day.
- Eat enough and don’t drink alcohol.
- Avoid going out during the hottest hours and spend several hours a day in a cool place.
- Avoid physical and sporting activities during the hottest hours (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and in direct sunlight.
- Keep your accommodation cool (close windows and shutters during the day, open them in the evening and at night if it is cooler).
- Remember to regularly give your news to your loved ones and, as soon as necessary, dare to ask for help.
- Visit the website regularly Meteo France to inform you.
A toll-free number activated by the government
The Ministry of Health has decided to activate the Heatwave info service toll-free number this Thursday: 0800.06.66.66. He will be reachable from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until the end of the heat wave. Calls are free from a landline in mainland France. The heat wave peak is expected on Friday and Saturday, with “unprecedented temperatures for the month of June”, according to Météo France.