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.

What to do in extreme heat

The NHS warns that more people than usual get “seriously ill or die” during heatwaves. The main risks during hot weather are:

• Not drinking enough water (dehydration) 
• Overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart or breathing
• Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

People who are most vulnerable to the heat include:

• Older people – especially those over 75 and female
• Those who live on their own or in a care home
• People who have a serious or long-term illness including heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, Parkinson's disease or some mental health conditions
• People who are on multiple medicines that may make them more likely to be badly affected by hot weather
• Those who may find it hard to keep cool – babies and the very young, the bed bound, those with drug or alcohol addictions or with Alzheimer's disease
• People who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places – those who live in a top-floor flat, the homeless or those whose jobs are outside

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.”

Symptoms of heat exhaustion

Signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, but a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin
• Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
• Fast breathing or heartbeat
• A high temperature
• Being very thirsty
• Weakness

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.