Heat Waves: How to keep safe!!!

Shaban SENYANGE
Kiira Motors Corporation
5 min readMar 19, 2024

Climate change presents a fundamental threat to human health. It affects the physical environment as well as all aspects of both natural and human systems — including social and economic conditions and the functioning of health systems. It is therefore a threat multiplier, undermining and potentially reversing decades of health progress. As climatic conditions change, more frequent and intensifying weather and climate events are observed, including storms, extreme heat, floods, droughts and wildfires. These weather and climate hazards affect health both directly and indirectly, increasing the risk of deaths, noncommunicable diseases, the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, and health emergencies. Climate change is impacting health in a myriad of ways, including by leading to death and illness from increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms and floods, the disruption of food systems, increases in zoonoses and food-, water- and vector-borne diseases, and mental health issues.

Uganda, traditionally known for its lush green landscapes during the rainy season, finds itself under the unexpected grip of a scorching heatwave. Despite the anticipation of rain, many regions across the country are experiencing unusually high temperatures. The unexpected weather phenomenon has prompted speculation among meteorologists and climate scientists. While weather patterns can be inherently variable, several factors may be contributing to the current heatwave. One possibility is the delayed onset of the rainy season, a phenomenon observed in previous years. The prolonged dry spell has allowed temperatures to climb unchecked, exacerbating the heatwave’s intensity. Additionally, experts point to the broader influence of climate change, which has been linked to shifts in weather patterns globally. Rising temperatures and alterations in precipitation regimes may be contributing to the unseasonably hot conditions experienced in Uganda.

Other sources say that the extreme heat being experienced in the country is attributed to the movement of the global winds across the equatorial region, coupled with the movement of the sun towards the equator. The position of the overhead sun over the equator is always on every March 21 and it is the time when the maximum heating of the earth is over the equatorial region. That period starts from the beginning of March and usually continues till April, giving off solar radiation from the sun or heat from the sun. This has disrupted the rainfall completely for the third week now. Similar effects are being experienced in Kenya and Tanzania.

During extreme heat it is easy to become dehydrated or for your body to overheat. Heat can cause serious and potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, trigger sudden events like heart attack or stroke, or worsen existing medical conditions like kidney or lung disease. Extreme heat can affect anybody. Those more at-risk include people over the age of 65, babies and young children, pregnant women, people with acute or chronic health problems and people who are socially isolated.

While relief in the form of rainfall is eagerly awaited, the current situation serves as a reminder of the complex and dynamic nature of Uganda’s climate. Until then, Here’s a guide on how to keep cool and stay safe in the punishing temperatures as the latest heat extremes ravaging the country spread.

Staying safe in extreme heat

Prevent heat-related health problems by keeping cool and staying hydrated during hot weather. Plan ahead and check in with others.

Keep cool:

o Use air conditioning if available. The cost of air-conditioning can be reduced by using a fan at the same time, and increasing the thermostat temperature on your AC unit to 26–27˚C.

o Electric fans can help cool the body when the indoor temperature is below 39–40˚C.

o Keep your skin wet using a spray bottle or damp sponge.

o Soak a towel in cool tap water and wrap it loosely around your head.

o Take cool showers or foot baths with cool tap water.

o Wrap ice cubes in a damp towel and drape around your neck.

o Wear light and loose-fitting clothing.

o Consider visiting an air-conditioned building such as a shopping centre or public library.

o Use blinds or curtains to block sun from shining directly through windows.

o Open windows and doors if you think it is hotter indoors than outdoors.

Stay hydrated:

o During days when you are exposed to extreme heat, keep drinking water before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors and performing physical activity. If your doctor has asked that you limit your fluid intake, ask them how much water you should drink during hot weather.

o Whenever you leave home, always take a water bottle with you.

o Watch for signs of dehydration like feeling thirsty, lightheaded, having a dry mouth, tiredness, having dark-coloured, strong-smelling urine or passing less urine than usual.

Plan ahead:

o During extreme heat, cancel or reschedule non-essential outings.

o Plan essential activities for the coolest part of the day. If you do have to go outside, take a water bottle with you, seek shade, and wear a hat and sunscreen for skin protection.

o Keep up to date with weather forecasts and warnings — via TV or radio, check the heatwave forecast online or via their app, and subscribe to receive Heat health warnings from the Ministry of Health.

o Stock up on food, water and medicines so you don’t have to go out in the heat.

o Make sure that food and medicines are stored at appropriate temperatures.

o See your doctor to check if changes are needed to your medicines during extreme heat.

o Check that your fan or air-conditioner works well. Have your air-conditioner serviced if necessary.

o Power failures can happen during times of extreme heat — ensure you have a torch, battery-operated radio, fully charged mobile phone or battery back-up, food items that don’t require refrigeration, medications, plenty of drinking water and other essential items. Have a cool-box available to store ice or cool packs with medications.

o Look at the things you can do to make your home cooler such as installing reflecting coatings, insulation, glazing, external window awnings, shade cloths or external blinds, and planting trees to provide shade around the house.

Check in with others

A quick call can make a big difference. Let family, friends and neighbors know you are OK or check in with those at increased risk or who may need your support during days of extreme heat.

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Shaban SENYANGE
Kiira Motors Corporation

Senior Environment and Sustainability Officer. Award winning Wildlife Health and Conservation Media Specialist. Top 100 Young Conservation Leaders in Africa.