General recommendations for handling the heat

• If you need to go out, avoid the hottest times of day.
• Wear light and loose clothing, not too tight, and use headwear and or a parasol to protect yourself.
• Drink water often, even if you are not thirsty, and avoid alcohol.
• Eat light meals and avoid hot food or food high in calories.
• Seek shelter in air-conditioned public buildings, such as climate shelters, particularly during the hottest hours of the day.
• Keep your home cool by lowering the shutters during the day and opening the windows at night.
• Cool down regularly with showers or towels soaked in water. Use electric fans or air conditioning.
• Take special care of children and the elderly, people with health problems and pets.
• If you have a high temperature, headache, nausea, giddiness, weakness, confusion or extreme thirst, call 061.
• Using the BCN a la Butxaca app you can find a map with the locations of all public drinking fountains in the city.

Climate shelters

Barcelona's Climate Shelters Network comprises more than 500 spaces across the city, including libraries, community centres, sports facilities, museums and green spaces offering suitable shade and comfortable temperatures. More than 75% are indoor facilities, while the remainder are outdoor spaces such as parks and gardens, interior courtyards, school playgrounds, splash pads and swimming pools. This variety ensures that the network can meet different needs and provide suitable options for different situations. The shelters are inclusive spaces open to all, but they are particularly important for people in vulnerable situations, including older people, young children and those who struggle to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature.

How is the municipal heatwave protocol activated and what stages does it have?

The basic emergency protocol for heatwaves is the civil protection instrument that analyses and assesses the risk for intense heat in the city. It is based on dangerous weather warnings (SMP) issued by the Catalan Weather Service.

These warnings classify the risk on a scale of 0 to 6 according to the probability of reaching certain thresholds of intense or very intense heat. They can refer to very intense heat in the day or intense heat at night.

The municipal protocol is activated when warnings are issued for dangerous weather levels 4, 5 or 6 in Barcelona, with a duration of at least three days running. Depending on the level of risk, different alert stages can be activated: alert, emergency 1 or emergency 2.

Heatwave protocol stages

Alert stage: Activated when Barcelona receives a severe weather warning for very intense heat or very intense night-time heat at Level 4 or 5, with a forecast duration of three or more consecutive days. In this stage, follow-up measures are activated for vulnerable people, with preventive communication strengthened and specific measures activated in public streets.

Emergency stage 1: Activated when Barcelona receives a severe weather warning for very intense heat or very intense night-time heat at Level 6, with a forecast duration of three or more consecutive days. In this stage, follow-up measures are activated for vulnerable people.

Emergency stage 2: Activated when Barcelona receives a severe weather warning for very intense heat or very intense night-time heat at Level 6 and temperatures are forecast to exceed 40°C in the city. During this stage the protocol can include special measures to protect people.

Supporting vulnerable groups during an extreme heat alert or emergency

The City’s social service work to prevent the risks associated with the heat, guide people and provide support for people who need it. During the preventive stage of the Heat Plan, specific recommendation are given for users of services such as Telecare, "Meals in Company" and the Home Support Service (SAD), as well as social services, soup kitchens and accommodation of the elderly or the homeless.

Based on an updated census of people and families at risk, information is given by SMS or by email or phone relating to heatwaves, recommendation and the local of available climate shelters.

The Barcelona Urgent Care and Social Emergency Centre (CUESB) serves as the city's main social support service during periods of extreme heat. Its helpline operates 24 hours a day and can be contacted on 900 703 030 for guidance and referrals in cases of risk. In cases of warnings for level 4. 5 or 6 heat, the CUESB activated its heatwave action plan and coordinates follow-up, direct support, prospection in streets and squares and, if necessary, taking in highly vulnerable people.