Tips on how to stay cool in france’s heatwave

WITH TEMPERATURES IN FRANCE APPROACHING 40C, WE LOOK AT ADVICE ON HOW TO STOP YOURSELF FROM OVERHEATING As much of the country bakes in a heatwave, we look at tips on staying cool, which

includes advice from the French health authority Santé publique France (SPF). DRINK WATER REGULARLY WITHOUT WAITING UNTIL YOU ARE THIRSTY By the time you feel thirsty, you are already

dehydrated. Instead of waiting, drink small amounts of water (that is not too cold) often. Avoid iced water, as this can cause your body to heat up more. DAMPEN YOUR BODY SEVERAL TIMES A DAY

This helps you to feel cooler, especially if you focus on your face and forearms. You can use a flannel or just splash water onto your skin. You can also have a cool shower (but avoid

too-cold water as this can also be dangerous). You may also like to use a fan (either manual or electric) and a face mist. EAT LITTLE AND OFTEN AND AVOID ALCOHOL Eating often can help you

avoid dehydration and fainting, while alcohol can cause you to feel more dehydrated and dizzy, so it is best to avoid it during exceptionally-hot periods. Eating fresh and cool food (such as

fresh fruit rather than hot soup or even pastries) can also help. AVOID GOING OUT AT PEAK TIMES Try not to go out during the hottest times of the day if you can, and try to stay in cooler,

indoor spaces as much as possible. As well as your home, this could include a cinema, public library, supermarket, or museum. KEEP YOUR HOUSE COOL This will help you shelter from the fierce

heat. Keep your shutters and windows closed during the day, but open them at night to allow fresh air to circulate. You can also hang damp sheets in front of windows, put iced bottles of

water in front of fans, and turn off electrical or kitchen equipment. READ MORE: HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE COOL IN THE HIGH HEAT OF THE FRENCH SUMMER AVOID EXCESS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Taking part

in sports or physical activity outdoors can make it much easier to overheat. It is better to exercise indoors in an air-conditioned space, if you can, and avoid exercise during the hottest

parts of the day. CHECK MÉTÉO FRANCE REGULARLY THE FORECAST will not only show the predicted weather, but also issue any warnings about future heatwaves, thunderstorms, or other related

conditions. This can help you to plan and remain alert. The SPF heatwave plan (_plan national canicule_, PNC) also has its own levels of alert, which are issued in coordination with the

forecaster. They are: * LEVEL 1 - ‘SEASONAL WATCH (_VEILLE SAISONNIÈRE_)’: Corresponds to the green Météo-France heatwave vigilance level. * LEVEL 2 - ‘HEAT WARNING (_AVERTISSEMENT

CHALEUR_)’: Corresponds to the yellow heatwave alert, in the event of a temporary heat peak over one or two days. * LEVEL 3 - 'HEATWAVE ALERT (_ALERTE CANICULE_)’: Triggered by

departmental prefects, in conjunction with the regional health agencies (ARS), by the orange alert level. * Level 4 - 'MAXIMUM MOBILISATION (_MOBILISATION MAXIMALE_)': Corresponds

to a red heatwave alert in the event of an exceptional, very intense, and long-lasting heatwave. READ ALSO 7 FRENCH EXPRESSIONS TO USE WHEN IT'S HOT WEATHER