Hot times in MV: temperatures up to 37 degrees – what now for children?

Hot times in MV: temperatures up to 37 degrees – what now for children?

The heat wave is rolling towards northern Germany! This week we can expect decent mid-summer weather, as the German Weather Service (DWD) reports. It gets really hot in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, especially on Wednesday, with maximum temperatures that could reach up to 37 degrees Celsius. But the days before also promise warm temperatures: on Monday it will be 23 to 26 degrees, on Tuesday we will go up to 28 to 31 degrees, with Usedom remaining the coolest region at 26 degrees. The high temperatures are particularly noticeable in the southwest of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

With these temperatures, the risk of health problems also increases. However, the nighttime temperatures should fall to a bearable level of 16 to 18 degrees; even tropical nights above 20 degrees are not to be expected. On Wednesday evening, a low could move from southern England across northern German regions and bring us some cooling and possibly rain and thunderstorms.

Health effects of heat

As the DAK children and youth report shows, at temperatures above 30 degrees the number of heat problems requiring treatment increases, especially among children and young people between 0 and 17 years of age. There's something going on! DAK regional head Andreas Mirwald calls for effective heat protection plans for daycare centers, schools and playgrounds. We not only have to protect ourselves in the heat, but also in the long term: According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), a further increase in hot days is to be expected in the coming decades due to climate change.

Older people, pregnant women, children and people with chronic previous illnesses are particularly at risk. Preventive heat protection is therefore urgently needed. The RKI has been carrying out evaluations of heat-related excess mortality for many years and works closely with various ministries and institutions to develop effective protective measures.

Heat action plans: Municipal measures are required

In Germany, the states and municipalities are responsible for heat action plans. These plans are intended to effectively protect the local population from the consequences of extreme heat phases. Comprehensive recommendations for the creation of such plans were developed by the federal and state governments in 2017, based on a WHO guideline and taking site-specific circumstances into account.

The measures in the heat action plan vary and may include, but are not limited to:

• Neue Konzepte der Stadtgestaltung und Bauleitplanung
• Maßnahmen für mehr Stadtgrün
• Kurzfristige Aktionen für mehr Verschattung
• Spezielle Handlungsabläufe in Gesundheits- und Pflegeeinrichtungen
• Informationskampagnen
• Monitoring

More and more federal states, cities and municipalities have already implemented their own heat action plans or are planning to do so. However, according to German Environmental Aid, there is still a lot to do as many cities are not adequately prepared for extreme heat. Many people feel uncomfortable, especially at temperatures above 30 degrees, and that should give us pause.

When the sun is shining, it's high time to take care of your own health and prepare well! Stay hydrated and seek shade so we can get through this heat wave.

For more information on the health effects of heat, visit Robert Koch Institute, and to learn more about heat action plans, check out the Federal Ministry of Health over.