Up to 38 degrees How Bonn prepares for the heat wave
Bonn · Temperatures in Bonn keep rising: Animal shelters protect their four-legged friends, beverage traders expect a rush of customers and the demand for fans is rising. And then there are those who have to work outdoors in the heat.
The beer gardens and ice cream shops are full, the swimming pools are booming, and those who don't have air conditioning at work moan under the heat. That's probably how the current week in Bonn and the region looks like. It is supposed to get as hot as up to 38 degrees.That's why Bonn's largest drinks retailer has taken precautions. "Of course, we notice that immediately," says Werner Vendel from Beverage Service Vendel. "We have stored plenty more of our donation water." He is talking about their own brand "Saint Marcel" - 20 cents per crate will be donated to the GA Christmas light and the Bonner Bürgerstiftung. But it is still too early to foresee how large the rush for water supplies will actually be.
This only becomes apparent after a few days of heat, says Vendel. "Then the telephone won't stop. But the "boys out there" - the employees who deliver crates of drinks every day - are hit particularly hard. "That's hard work." Lucky those who don't have to work outside in this heat.
The delivery staff of Deutsche Post DHL Group also have to bite the bullet. "Customers expect deliveries to be made as usual," explains press spokeswoman Christina Müschen on GA request. "That's why we're not changing anything about our delivery order." However, the postal and parcel delivery staff in the field would at least be provided with functional clothing and sufficient drinking water. Otherwise the regular shift operation applies.
Work clothing with sun protection
Road workers will also have to cope with the high temperatures and the scorching sun, for example at the state road construction company. "We have special sun cream especially for outdoor work," explains a spokeswoman for Straßen NRW. In addition to working clothes with sun protection, there are several types of caps and hats with neck protection that employees can use. "They're not chic now, but they make sense." There are also sunglasses. To ensure that as little work as possible has to be done at the hottest time of the day, the employees can start work two hours earlier during the hot days. So instead of starting at 6.45 a.m., they can start at 4.45 a.m. - and therefore can finish work sooner.
Tierheim closed for visitors
Not only people, but also pets suffer from the heat. In contrast to humans, dogs, cats, hamsters and co. cannot cool down by sweating, but mainly by panting and drinking. Sufficient fluid is therefore vital to protect the animals from dehydration and a life-threatening increase in body temperature. According to the German Animal Welfare Association, the most frequent heat victims are rabbits, guinea pigs and ornamental birds whose cages or outdoor enclosures are exposed to the blazing sun. If you provide birds with a bathhouse, you should change the water frequently. Birds that do not use a bath house can be carefully sprayed with water. If the heat is high, the dog walk should be made in the cooler morning and evening hours and if possible in shady parks or forest areas.The Bonn animal shelter Albert Schweitzer is therefore prepared for the hot days. "For the dogs, for example, we set up paddling pools," says employee Nicole Joußen. "Sun sails provide shade". And for small animals, moist cloths will be hung up. The shelter will be closed visitors or the time being. This would protect the animals from additional stress.
Demand for fans increases
Almost naturally, the heat is increasing the demand for fans. During the summer of 2018, appliances that provide a cool breeze were in short supply throughout Germany, in Bonn and the region. The electronics stores in Bonn and the region also felt the effects of the high demand. However, there does not seem to be any need to fear a shortage as in the previous year.
Original text: Sebastian Meltz
Translation: Mareike Graepel
