Extreme heat calls for stronger prevention: advice on how to act

Spain’s Ministry of Health is keeping its 2026 National Plan for Preventive Action on the Health Effects of Excessive Temperatures active from 13 May to 30 September. Its advice applies to everyone: intense heat can cause dehydration, cramps, heat exhaustion and, in the most serious cases, heatstroke.

The risk is greater for babies and young children, older people, pregnant women, people who live alone and those with cardiovascular, respiratory or kidney conditions, diabetes or mental health problems. People who work, exercise or do other physical activities outdoors also face greater exposure. Relatives and vulnerable neighbours should be called or visited regularly during periods of extreme heat.

How to reduce exposure

• Drink water regularly, even when not thirsty, and avoid alcohol and excessive amounts of caffeinated or very sugary drinks. Anyone on fluid restriction should follow the advice given by their healthcare professional.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, unnecessary journeys and tasks in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. When going out is unavoidable, seek shade, rest often and wear light, loose-fitting clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Keep blinds or curtains closed when the sun is shining directly on windows and ventilate at night if the air outside is cooler. If the home becomes too hot, spend part of the day in an air-conditioned place.
• Take cool showers, dampen the skin and choose light meals with fruit, vegetables and other water-rich foods.
• Never leave children, dependent people or animals inside a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes.
• Check official warnings and do not alter or stop medication without professional advice. Some treatments may require additional precautions and should be reviewed with a doctor or pharmacist.

From heat exhaustion to heatstroke

Intense thirst, headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, cramps and heavy sweating may indicate heat exhaustion. The person should stop the activity, move to a cool place, loosen their clothing, cool their skin with water and take small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution if fully conscious. They need medical assessment if they do not improve, symptoms last for more than an hour or their condition gets worse.

Confusion, unusual behaviour, difficulty walking, seizures, fainting or loss of consciousness are warning signs consistent with heatstroke. This is a potentially fatal emergency: call 112 immediately and begin cooling the person while help is on the way.

What to do while waiting for 112

Move the affected person away from the heat source and into the shade or an air-conditioned room. Remove unnecessary clothing, wet the person with cool water and apply damp cloths while increasing air circulation. If they are unconscious but breathing, place them on their side in the recovery position; if they are not breathing, start basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

Do not leave the person alone, give fluids if they are unconscious or have an altered level of consciousness, or administer paracetamol, aspirin or other fever-reducing medicines: heatstroke is not an ordinary fever and requires urgent medical care.

In Montserrat, these precautions apply at home as well as during journeys, work, sport and outdoor events. Whenever an official high-temperature warning is issued, the safest response is to adjust schedules, ensure access to water and shade and look out for anyone who may need help.

Sources: Spanish Ministry of Health, 2026 national plan for high temperatures; Conselleria de Sanidad, high-temperature prevention programme; Conselleria de Sanidad, action in the event of heatstroke; and the World Health Organization.

Illustrative image generated using artificial intelligence.