After the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) warned of a drop in temperatures this week, due to a mass of polar air, the DGS, in a notice published on its website, warns of the importance of taking some protective measures.

The health authority also recommends that attention be paid to the most vulnerable groups, such as children in the first years of life, chronically ill people, elderly people or people in conditions of greater isolation, workers who work outdoors and people who are homeless.

Keeping the body warm by using several layers of clothing adapted to the ambient temperature, protecting the extremities of the body by using gloves, a hat, scarf, warm socks and warm, non-slip footwear, and hydrating the body with soups and hot drinks, avoiding alcohol, are some of the recommendations.

It also advises the Portuguese to check the operation of heating equipment and to keep their homes warm, ensuring adequate ventilation of their homes if they use braziers or fireplaces.

It also recommends “special attention” to combustion heating - fireplaces -, warning that they can cause poisoning due to the accumulation of carbon monoxide and lead to death.

In case of illness, the DGS advises that you choose to contact the SNS 24 line (808 24 24 24), avoiding an immediate trip to the emergency room.

At the beginning of the week, IPMA warned that temperatures would drop throughout the week and that in some places they could drop by around 7 degrees.