Many people know that extreme temperatures can be dangerous, but what is often overlooked is that the greatest danger can be hidden indoors, especially if the air conditioning stops or even worse, if you do not have one.

When the cooling system does not work, the premises can turn into a “greenhouse”, where heat enters through windows and walls, while hot air remains trapped inside.

In just a few hours, the temperature in the premises indoors can significantly exceed that outdoors, especially on upper floors and in areas with direct exposure to the sun.

Studies show that most deaths from extreme heat occur inside buildings.

Experts explain that the human body tries to cool itself through sweating and blood circulation in the skin, but when the temperature and humidity are high, this mechanism weakens.

If the body temperature exceeds about 40 degrees Celsius, its functions begin to fail, while temperatures above 42 degrees can be fatal, reports The Independent.

A big problem is that the premises do not react equally to heat. New buildings with good insulation can keep cool longer, while those with poor insulation and simple windows can heat up very quickly.

A study carried out in the US analyzed hundreds of thousands of premises and simulated scenarios with heat waves and power outages. The results showed that a significant proportion of buildings can reach life-threatening temperatures, not only for the elderly, but also for young and healthy adults.

To reduce the risk during heat waves, experts recommend staying on the lower floors of buildings, closing the curtains during sunny hours and constantly drinking water.

Experts warn that as global temperatures rise, buildings must be designed not only to save energy, but also to protect the lives of residents during extreme heat waves.

Source: prizrenpost