Brits holidaying at two popular European destinations need to take safety precautions amid an extreme weather warning. Due to high temperatures, areas of the Spanish islands Mallorca and Menorca are at high risk of fires.
In a post made to X, the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) for the Balearic Islands, warned of fire risks today (June 13). It said: “EXTREME or VERY HIGH in areas west of Mallorca.
“VERY HIGH or HIGH in Menorca.” AMET has also issued yellow warnings for extreme high temperatures for Mellorca on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 7pm.
Temperatures on the island are expected to reach highs of around 36C.
Both islands are highly popular with British tourists, with around 2.5 million people from the UK visiting every year.
The NHS warns that more people than usual get “seriously ill or die” during heatwaves. The main risks during hot weather are:
People who are most vulnerable to the heat include:
The health body issued advice on how to stay safe in the heat. It said: “Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
“Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
“Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down.
“Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.”
Signs of heat exhaustion include:
If someone is displaying symptoms you need to move them to a cool place, remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks, get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water, and cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them.
If they don’t call down within 30 minutes you need to call for emergency medical assistance as this could be heatstroke.