France heat wave triggers health, work and home safety guidance

During the ongoing heat wave, French authorities and experts have issued a range of recommendations to reduce indoor temperatures and protect vulnerable people. Homeowners are advised to adjust electric water‑heater settings – for example, switch the day/night contact to “0” or activate Eco/Absence modes – rather than turning the heater off completely, which can increase energy use and heat release.

Medical professionals in Toulouse warned that several drug classes (opioids, antidepressants, neuroleptics, anxiolytics, antihistamines, antihypertensives, NSAIDs, β‑blockers, diuretics and certain antidiabetics) can impair the body’s temperature regulation or promote dehydration, and urged patients to consult pharmacists or doctors about dosage adjustments.

Employers and works councils are urged to implement heat‑prevention measures at the workplace, including providing cooling areas, adjusting work schedules and informing staff of the risks. Simple public‑health gestures such as drinking water before feeling thirsty, limiting alcohol, avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat, keeping living spaces ventilated at night and staying in cool public venues are also promoted.

Additional advice highlights that some popular “hydration” practices can be misleading and that gastrointestinal bloating often worsens in high temperatures due to rapid drinking, carbonated beverages and altered eating patterns. Finally, fashion experts recommend wearing light, loose, long‑sleeved clothing made of breathable fabrics and light colours to reflect sunlight, rather than minimal clothing that can increase heat exposure.