New heat warning as temperatures soar

THE FORESTRY Department yesterday warned there was a high risk of forest fires because of consistent high temperatures in recent days.

In a written statement, the department urged the public to be extra careful, especially in forest areas.

The penalty for causing a fire is one year in jail, or £1,000 fine, or both.

Meanwhile, with the current heat wave showing no sign of relenting, the public is advised to take every caution to avoid heat stroke.

To minimise risks, people should avoid long exposure to direct sunlight and hard physical labour.

Light-coloured clothing is advised, while consumption of plenty of liquid is a must.

Fatty foods should be avoided, while fruit and vegetables are recommended.

Young children, the elderly, overweight persons and those with heart or kidney problems, diabetics, or people with respiratory trouble are the most susceptible to heat-related risks.

In 1998, around 60 people died from heat related complications.

Health experts say symptoms for heat exhaustion and sunstroke include paleness, cold skin, restlessness, headaches, nausea, leg and stomach cramps, palpitations and fainting.

People thought to have suffered heatstroke should immediately be taken to a cool place. They should drink a lot of liquid, preferably water with salt, to counter the effects of dehydration.

Sunstroke victims should change out of their clothes, wrap up in a wet blanket and be allowed to lie in a well-ventilated location.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.