Red Cross hotline on red alert over the heat wave in Balearics

The Balearic Red Cross (Cruz Roja Baleares) is receiving an average of more than 700 phone calls a week from those seeking advice to prevent suffering from the effects of heat. On 15 June the charity launched its campaign “Ola de Calor” (Heatwave), an information service (plus home visits) directed principally at older people concerned about problems caused by the excessive heat.  The objective of the campaign, that will last until 25 September, is to ensure that those who are most vulnerable to the heat stay healthy.  During the summer months, therefore, Cruz Roja volunteers are on hand at the different contact centres to offer advice via a free helpline - 900 22 22 99. These contact centres are in Felanitx, Manacor, Palma and Soller as well as in Minorca and Ibiza.  The service is free to any of those in the highest-risk categories - the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses and people with disabilities.   The charity is also organising briefings in day centres and old people’s associations by issuing sensible advice, such as drinking plenty of liquids with an intake of between 100 and 150 millilitres every 20 minutes, wearing lightweight and light-coloured clothing as well as comfortable and breathable footwear, eating lightly (fruit, vegetables) and using fans and hats.   In 2014, a similar campaign attended to 1,751 people. This number will be exceeded this summer, thanks to the availability of some 70 volunteers from the local Cruz Roja network.