The National Heat Plan will also start in Drenthe from tomorrow. It is a measure that the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) takes in long -term hot weather. But what exactly does that plan mean?
The National Heat Plan is a warning system that has been around since 2007 and becomes active when it gets 27 degrees or warmer for four days. It is a collaboration between RIVM, the KNMI and, among others, GGDs and healthcare institutions.
The aim is to ask for extra alertness for risk groups such as the elderly, young children, people with chronic diseases and people in care institutions. Without obligation, but rather as a warning and call for action.
Especially people over 75 are a vulnerable group at high temperatures. At an older age, the incentive for drinking and therefore the elderly runs more risk to dry out. According to RIVM, people with a chronic condition, people in social isolation, homeless people and young children can also get health problems if measures are not taken. But people in good health can also suffer from overheating or heat exhaustion, warns RIVM.
The National Heat Plan is intended for organizations or institutions that have to do with these vulnerable groups, such as general practitioners, healthcare institutions, nursing homes. For example, they can prepare for the heat in support and care for vulnerable groups, among other things by distributing extra water, to check residents more often for, for example, dehydration symptoms or calling on people to stay inside the heat of the day.
GGDs also communicate more actively through their social media with tips, such as keeping the home, drinking enough water and paying attention to signs of dehydration.
The last time the National Heat Plan was in force, was from 10 to 16 August 2022. An important criterion for proclaming the plan is persistent heat of four days or longer, where it is also called in the nights.
A heat plan is not the same as a heat wave. The latter is the case if it has been at least 25 degrees in De Bilt in De Bilt, of which at least three days above 30 degrees.