Heatwave: 84 departments on orange alert, how to protect yourself effectively

In the face of this heatwave, several simple but effective measures can help limit health risks. It is recommended to stay cool by spending several hours a day in an air-conditioned or cooled space, such as shopping malls, libraries, movie theaters, etc.

Hydration is a major issue: you must drink water regularly without waiting until you feel thirsty. To refresh your body, it is recommended to humidify and ventilate several times a day, particularly by taking cool showers or using a mist spray.

Home furnishings also play a crucial role. Closing shutters and windows during the hottest hours, when the outside temperature rises above the inside, helps keep the home cool. When it comes to diet, favoring fresh, balanced meals while avoiding alcohol helps you cope better with the heat.

Finally, regularly checking in on the vulnerable people around you is an important act of solidarity.

Working in extreme heat: new rights strengthened

The workplace is not immune to these increasingly frequent heatwaves. The health risks for workers are real and can range from simple migraines to potentially fatal heatstroke, including cramps, fever, and dehydration.

In response to these challenges, regulations have been strengthened with the decree of May 27, 2025, which imposes new obligations on employers. Enclosed workplaces must now be maintained at a suitable temperature throughout the year, while outdoor workers must be protected against extreme weather conditions.

Employees exposed to heat can adopt several preventive measures. Wearing light, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing, protecting their heads from the sun, and regularly monitoring their temperature are basic precautions. It's also important to adapt your work schedule according to your heat tolerance and to report to your employer any personal protective equipment that causes additional discomfort.

Employers, for their part, have an obligation to organize work to reduce exposure: adjusting schedules, postponing arduous tasks to cooler hours, implementing short work-rest cycles, or even reducing work rates.

What to do in the event of employer failure?

If preventive measures are insufficient or absent, employees have recourse. They can contact the labor inspectorate or, depending on the size of the company, alert the social and economic committee (CSE) or staff representatives.

A toll-free number available

To support the population during this heatwave, the Ministry of Labor, Health, Solidarity and Families has activated the “Canicule info service” toll-free number at 0800 06 66 66. Accessible free of charge from mainland France, this service operates from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Saturday, June 28 until the end of the heatwave.

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