Heatwave: what to do, step by step
Hot, no air-conditioning. Below: what to do right away, what next, when to call 112 and what to avoid. The same instructions are in the free SurvivalZone app and work without internet.
First, right now
- Drink regularly in small sips, before you feel thirsty.
- Close curtains on the sunny side during the day; air the home at night and early morning. Stay in the coolest room.
- Check on older people, small children and anyone who is ill several times a day.
Then
- Cool shower, wet towel on the neck, feet in a bowl of water.
- Avoid effort in the hottest hours, roughly 11:00–16:00.
- Light, loose clothes and a hat outdoors.
When to call 112
Heatstroke: very high body temperature, hot dry skin, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness. Cool them down and call immediately.
What not to do
- Never leave a child, older person or pet in a car, not even for a minute.
- Don't drink alcohol and avoid heavy meals.
Keep it on your phone
SurvivalZone is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.
Other scenarios
- ⚡ Power cut
- 🥶 Cold, no heating
- 🚱 No water or unsafe tap water
- 🌊 Flood, water coming in
- 🎒 Evacuation in 10 minutes
- 🔥 Fire in the building
- 🌪️ Storm, strong wind
- 🚀 Air attack: missiles, drones, bombs
- 📢 Sirens, alarm, air contamination
- 📵 No signal, no internet
- ❤️ Someone is unconscious
- 🌍 Earthquake
- ⛵ Storm at sea, no internet
- 🚗 Road accident
- ☠️ Carbon monoxide or gas leak
- ❄️ Stuck in a car in a snowstorm
- 🌩️ Thunderstorm outdoors
- 🫀 Heart attack or stroke
- 🏊 Someone is drowning
- 🌲 Forest or grass fire
- 💳 Cards and cash machines not working
- 🦠 Epidemic, dangerous infectious disease
- 🧒 A child is missing
Sources
- Polish government safety guide (MON, MSWiA, RCB, 2025)
- BBK guide "Vorsorgen für Krisen und Katastrophen" (Germany)
- ERC first aid and resuscitation guidelines (European Resuscitation Council)
Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-10-18.
General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.