heat stroke is increasing

• Point (Ministry of the Environment making) of the heat stroke prevention (PDF 654.5KB)

About heatstroke alert

The Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Meteorological Agency carry out these measures with the aim of urging citizens to become aware of and take preventive actions when the risk of heatstroke is predicted to become extremely high.

Conditions for issuing a heatstroke warning alert

At around 17:00 the day before and around 5:00 on the day when the heat index (WBGT) is expected to reach 33°C or higher, the website of the Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Meteorological Agency will provide information on each prefectural forecast area (for Tokyo, Tokyo, the Izu Islands, Ogasawara Islands unit). It will be reported in the weather forecast for the day, so please pay special attention to heat stroke prevention as described below when it is issued. For details on the heat stroke warning alert, please check directly from the Ministry of the Environment's heat stroke prevention information site and the Japan Meteorological Agency website.

* Heat index (WBGT): An index that focuses on the exchange of heat (heat balance) between the human body and the outside air. This is an index that incorporates the surrounding thermal environment and (3) temperature. (From the Ministry of the Environment heat stroke prevention information site)

• Heat stroke caution alert (Ministry of the Environment heat stroke prevention information site) (External link)
• Japan Meteorological Agency website (External link)
• Distribution of heat stroke warning alerts and heat index information using the LINE app (External link)

Let's remove the mask to prevent heatstroke outdoors

• Let's take off mask outdoors (Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare making) (PDF 600.7KB)

Preventing heat stroke in a new lifestyle

In order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, it is necessary to practice new lifestyles such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance.

However, in the summer, wearing a mask makes it difficult for heat to escape from the skin and makes it difficult to regulate body temperature due to dehydration, increasing the risk of heatstroke. Let's be conscious of the following points and balance infection control with a new lifestyle and heatstroke prevention.

(1) Temporarily remove the mask and adjust your body temperature outdoors to prevent heat stroke.

Remember to remove the mask when exercising.

Wear a mask when talking within 2 meters.

(2) Avoid the heat when the temperature and humidity are high.

Wear cool clothes and take advantage of a parasol and a hat.

If you feel even slightly unwell, move to a cooler room or shade.

In principle, stop exercising and avoid going out as much as possible when a heatstroke alert is issued.

(3) Drink water frequently even if you are not thirsty.

Drink 1.2 liters of water per day (about 1 glass per hour).

Especially after waking up and before and after bathing, let's try to hydrate first.

Don't forget to take salt when you sweat a lot.

(4) You don't need to wear a mask even indoors if you can keep your distance from others and rarely talk to each other.

Even if you wear a mask, if the risk of heat stroke is high indoors, use air conditioners, fans, and ventilation to adjust the temperature and humidity to avoid the heat and drink water frequently.

(5) Let's ventilate frequently while using the air conditioner. No need to turn off the air conditioner.

Open two places, such as a window and a door, and use a fan or a ventilation fan to ventilate.

After ventilation, reset the temperature of the air conditioner frequently and pay attention to the indoor temperature.

• New lifestyle and heat stroke prevention (Ministry of the Environment heat stroke prevention information site) (External link)
• Points to prevent heat stroke based on measures against new coronavirus infectious diseases (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website) (External link)

Let's be careful about heat stroke

What is heat stroke?

Heatstroke is a disease caused by the body's inability to adapt to the heat, resulting in an imbalance of water and salt in the body. It can be serious, but it can be prevented with proper preventive measures.

When does heatstroke occur?

Heatstroke is more likely to occur in hot and humid climates with weak winds and strong sunlight. Even if the temperature is not so high, heat stroke can occur during strenuous exercise. Not only environmental conditions such as temperature, but also daily physical condition and habituation to heat affect it.

How to prevent heatstroke

• avoid the heat
  Refrain from working in the scorching sun as much as possible, and when going out, wear well-ventilated clothing, and use hats, parasols, etc. Also, be careful of heat stroke indoors. Use your air conditioner properly. Be careful while sleeping.
• frequent hydration
  Try to rehydrate before you feel thirsty. Coffee, green tea, and alcohol, which contain a lot of caffeine, are not suitable for rehydration because they act as diuretics. Sports drinks and barley tea are suitable because they can replenish minerals as well as water.
• Health management
  Eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep.

Precautions for children and the elderly

Children and the elderly have a weak ability to regulate their body temperature and are prone to heatstroke, so they need to be especially careful, such as being careful of the people around them.

Precautions when wearing a mask

As a countermeasure against the new coronavirus, the amount of time you wear a mask is increasing, but wearing a mask makes it easier for heat to build up in your body. Also, the humidity inside the mask increases, making it difficult to notice thirst. Therefore, if you can secure a distance from others, you will need to take off your mask, take a break, and drink more water than usual.

First aid when heat stroke is suspected

as a symptom of heatstroke

• Symptom 1 (mild): dizziness/fainting, muscle pain, numbness in limbs, discomfort
• Symptom 2 (moderate): Headache, nausea, vomiting, malaise, feeling of weakness
• Grade 3 symptoms (severe): In addition to the symptoms of Grade 2, disturbance of consciousness, convulsions, impaired movement of limbs, hyperthermia

One of the above symptoms can be dealt with by first aid on site. Symptoms 2 and 3 require hospital treatment. In particular, if the symptoms are 3rd degree, an ambulance is required.

first aid on site

1. move to a cooler place
2. Undressing and Cooling: Loosen your clothes and make them comfortable. Cool the body by spraying water or blowing air.
3. Replenishment of water and salt: Give a sports drink or salt water (1 to 2 grams of salt per 1 liter of water).
4. Transport to a medical institution: If the person is unable to rehydrate on their own or is unconscious, rush to a medical institution.

If you are unsure whether to call an ambulance, call the Tokyo Fire Department Emergency Consultation Center (#7119).
If you can't connect, call: 03-3212-2323

About the resting place

In Itabashi Ward, a temporary rest area has been set up as a rest area that can be used to prevent heatstroke. Please use it as a temporary rest area to prevent heatstroke when going out.

Please check the list below for installation facilities.

Seating space is limited. In addition, depending on the space of each facility and the status of the event, it may not be possible to install it in the designated position. Please understand in advance.

<Inquiries about the temporary rest area>

Health Promotion Section Health Promotion Section 03-3579-2727

Inquiries about heat stroke

Itabashi Ward has established Health and Welfare Centers in five locations within the ward. In addition to inquiries about heat stroke, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about health.
Each Health and Welfare Center in the city accepts consultations from Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Please check the area in charge of each Health and Welfare Center from the following.

• Guidance of Health and Welfare Center

Itabashi Health and Welfare Center

Telephone 03-3579-2333 32-15 Oyama Higashimachi, Itabashi-ku

• Healthy life club Itabashi Health and Welfare Center

Kamiitabashi Health and Welfare Center

Telephone 03-3937-1041 3-18-6 Sakuragawa, Itabashi-ku

• Healthy life club Kamiitabashi Health and Welfare Center

Akatsuka Health and Welfare Center

Telephone 03-3979-0511 1-10-13 Akatsuka, Itabashi-ku

• Healthy life club Akatsuka Health and Welfare Center

Shimura Health and Welfare Center

Telephone 03-3969-3836 2-5-5 Hasune, Itabashi-ku

• Healthy Lifestyle Department Shimura Health and Welfare Center

Takashimadaira Health and Welfare Center

Telephone 03-3938-8621 3-13-28 Takashimadaira, Itabashi-ku

• Healthy Ikigai Department Takashimadaira Health and Welfare Center