How to stay cool in Austria as the heatwave hits
A heatwave is forecast to hit Austria again after a cool start to August. Here's how to keep cool during the hot weather.
Austria is set to be hit with temperatures surpassing 30C this weekend and possibly reaching 34C next week, according to the country's weather forecast. With extreme heat comes a risk to health, so here's a guide to staying cool in Austria during the heatwave.
Know your rights
There are employment laws in Austria to protect workers against the effects of extreme heat. This is known as “Hitzefrei”, or “heat-free” regulation.
The law allows people working outdoors to down tools when the mercury hits 32.5 degrees - which it is forecast to pass this week. But only until the temperature drops below 32.5 again.
Workers should also be provided with sun protection, including personal protective equipment and allowed to take plenty of water breaks.
If Hitzefrei is applied, workers receive 60 per cent of their pay, which is reimbursed by BUAK (the construction workers’ leave and severance pay fund).
FOR MEMBERS: ‘Hitzefrei’: When is it too hot to work in Austria?
Children and vulnerable people
Take extra care of the more vulnerable during extreme heat: that includes children, the elderly and pregnant women. Check in with them regularly, especially if they live alone.
Corina Had, spokeswoman for the Viennese Professional Rescue Service, told ORF: "When heat waves last for several days and bring tropical nights, the body is particularly stressed. Babies, small children and the elderly are particularly affected by the heat."
Never leave anyone in a parked car – temperatures rise quickly even if the vehicle is parked in the shade – and avoid driving during the heat unless your car has air conditioning.
If anyone in your home takes medication, check the instructions for the temperature they should be stored at and, if necessary, put them in the fridge.
FOR MEMBERS: How to keep your apartment cool in Austria this summer amid rising energy prices
Prepare your home
For those that don't have air conditioning, one of the best purchases you can make is an electric fan. It will keep the air moving in your home, which will take the edge off the heat, as well as save you money on energy bills.
Der Standard reports that a fan uses 95 percent less energy than a mobile AC unit with an average cost of just €7 per summer (based on 60 days of use). Whereas a mobile air conditioning unit could cost €170 in additional electricity costs.
Another useful tip is to keep all windows and blinds/curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. Then open windows overnight or early morning to get fresh air throughout your home.
In Vienna, there are even government subsidies available to purchase external blinds and shutters for an apartment. Although permission from a landlord is required for rental properties. The City of Vienna website has more information about this scheme.
Also, try hanging up wet laundry to cool down an apartment. As the clothes dry, evaporation removes heat from the air which cools down the room.
Call Austria's heat hotline
Austria has a dedicated “heat” hotline that people can call for personal advice on how to best protect themselves from the heat under the free hotline 050 555 555.
However, if you or someone you know shows any signs of heat stroke or other health problems, call the country’s health number 1450.
People in cities are more likely to be impacted by heat than those in the countryside because temperatures remain higher overnight, so take care if living in an urban area.
READ ALSO: Austrian heatwave: Six tips to get a better night’s sleep
Eat lighter foods and drink plenty of water
During times of high heat, it’s better to eat lighter and more often. For example, fresh and cold meals are preferable to a massive bowl of pasta.
Eating fresh salads also means that you won’t need to heat up your stove, adding unnecessary heat to your home and reducing your energy bills at the same time.
And the number one tip by the Austrian Agency for Food and Health Safety (AGES): drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Look out for pets
As for pets, plan to go outside not only after peak heat hours but after checking how hot the concrete floors are out on the streets. The same applies to a garden terrace or balcony where the ground could be very hot.
Even if the sun has gone down, it could be that the street is still unbearably hot for your pet. At home, keep fresh water always available – you can give them ice cubes too.
FOR MEMBERS: 15 things to do in Austria in summer
Wear the right clothing
Wearing natural fibres is one of the best ways to stay cool in hot weather.
This means wearing clothing made from cotton, linen, silk, bamboo, lyocell or merino wool.
Bamboo and lyocell are also sustainable crops, so buying clothes made from these fibres is better for the environment too (as long as it’s from FSC-certified wood).
Visit Vienna's first Cooling Center
Cooling centres have been popular in the USA and other parts of the world that regularly get hot temperatures for several years, but now one has arrived in Vienna - just in time for the heatwave.
According to the Austrian Red Cross (which operates the service) the Cooling Center is an air-conditioned quiet space where people can recover from heat stress and drink plenty of water.
It's free to enter and open to everyone (within capacity limits). Pets are also welcome.
The Cooling Center is located at Shopping Center Nord (SCN), Ignaz-Köck-Straße 1, 1210 Vienna. Opening times in July and August are 12pm to 5pm.
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Austria is set to be hit with temperatures surpassing 30C this weekend and possibly reaching 34C next week, according to the country's weather forecast. With extreme heat comes a risk to health, so here's a guide to staying cool in Austria during the heatwave.
Know your rights
There are employment laws in Austria to protect workers against the effects of extreme heat. This is known as “Hitzefrei”, or “heat-free” regulation.
The law allows people working outdoors to down tools when the mercury hits 32.5 degrees - which it is forecast to pass this week. But only until the temperature drops below 32.5 again.
Workers should also be provided with sun protection, including personal protective equipment and allowed to take plenty of water breaks.
If Hitzefrei is applied, workers receive 60 per cent of their pay, which is reimbursed by BUAK (the construction workers’ leave and severance pay fund).
FOR MEMBERS: ‘Hitzefrei’: When is it too hot to work in Austria?
Children and vulnerable people
Take extra care of the more vulnerable during extreme heat: that includes children, the elderly and pregnant women. Check in with them regularly, especially if they live alone.
Corina Had, spokeswoman for the Viennese Professional Rescue Service, told ORF: "When heat waves last for several days and bring tropical nights, the body is particularly stressed. Babies, small children and the elderly are particularly affected by the heat."
Never leave anyone in a parked car – temperatures rise quickly even if the vehicle is parked in the shade – and avoid driving during the heat unless your car has air conditioning.
If anyone in your home takes medication, check the instructions for the temperature they should be stored at and, if necessary, put them in the fridge.
FOR MEMBERS: How to keep your apartment cool in Austria this summer amid rising energy prices
Prepare your home
For those that don't have air conditioning, one of the best purchases you can make is an electric fan. It will keep the air moving in your home, which will take the edge off the heat, as well as save you money on energy bills.
Der Standard reports that a fan uses 95 percent less energy than a mobile AC unit with an average cost of just €7 per summer (based on 60 days of use). Whereas a mobile air conditioning unit could cost €170 in additional electricity costs.
Another useful tip is to keep all windows and blinds/curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. Then open windows overnight or early morning to get fresh air throughout your home.
In Vienna, there are even government subsidies available to purchase external blinds and shutters for an apartment. Although permission from a landlord is required for rental properties. The City of Vienna website has more information about this scheme.
Also, try hanging up wet laundry to cool down an apartment. As the clothes dry, evaporation removes heat from the air which cools down the room.
Call Austria's heat hotline
Austria has a dedicated “heat” hotline that people can call for personal advice on how to best protect themselves from the heat under the free hotline 050 555 555.
However, if you or someone you know shows any signs of heat stroke or other health problems, call the country’s health number 1450.
People in cities are more likely to be impacted by heat than those in the countryside because temperatures remain higher overnight, so take care if living in an urban area.
READ ALSO: Austrian heatwave: Six tips to get a better night’s sleep
Eat lighter foods and drink plenty of water
During times of high heat, it’s better to eat lighter and more often. For example, fresh and cold meals are preferable to a massive bowl of pasta.
Eating fresh salads also means that you won’t need to heat up your stove, adding unnecessary heat to your home and reducing your energy bills at the same time.
And the number one tip by the Austrian Agency for Food and Health Safety (AGES): drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Look out for pets
As for pets, plan to go outside not only after peak heat hours but after checking how hot the concrete floors are out on the streets. The same applies to a garden terrace or balcony where the ground could be very hot.
Even if the sun has gone down, it could be that the street is still unbearably hot for your pet. At home, keep fresh water always available – you can give them ice cubes too.
FOR MEMBERS: 15 things to do in Austria in summer
Wear the right clothing
Wearing natural fibres is one of the best ways to stay cool in hot weather.
This means wearing clothing made from cotton, linen, silk, bamboo, lyocell or merino wool.
Bamboo and lyocell are also sustainable crops, so buying clothes made from these fibres is better for the environment too (as long as it’s from FSC-certified wood).
Visit Vienna's first Cooling Center
Cooling centres have been popular in the USA and other parts of the world that regularly get hot temperatures for several years, but now one has arrived in Vienna - just in time for the heatwave.
According to the Austrian Red Cross (which operates the service) the Cooling Center is an air-conditioned quiet space where people can recover from heat stress and drink plenty of water.
It's free to enter and open to everyone (within capacity limits). Pets are also welcome.
The Cooling Center is located at Shopping Center Nord (SCN), Ignaz-Köck-Straße 1, 1210 Vienna. Opening times in July and August are 12pm to 5pm.
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