A campaign to raise awareness among the population about typical summer hazards has been launched by the Albufeira Civil Protection team.
Placing special focus on safety in the swimming pool and during heat waves, the initiative sees the distribution of leaflets containing information in Portuguese and English to alert people of the risks of drowning, particularly children, dehydration and heat stroke as a result of long, extreme exposure to the sun and the worsening of certain chronic illnesses which can lead to death.
Death by drowning is the second main cause of accidental death among children in Portugal. A spokesman for the Albufeira campaign said: “Drowning is known as a silent killer with death occurring in just seconds. Parents with small children need to be alert at all times whether by the pool, the sea or anywhere where there’s water and the risk of drowning exists.”
The elderly are particularly at risk from the high temperatures at this time of year and thus, Albufeira Health Centre is hosting a seminar on August 10 to alert the older population about how they can protect themselves from the heat. The seminar starts from 4pm at the municipal library
To pick up a leaflet in both Portuguese and English, please visit the health centres and parishes in the Albufeira Council.
The Algarve Resident recommends: owners of rental properties and villa management companies could have these leaflets displayed in full view at their properties.
