Heatwave strikes! How to protect your home from embers

Heatwave strikes! How to protect your home from embers

On October 24, 2025, Berlin's citizens will face new challenges due to the increasing number of extreme heat days that are increasingly occurring in the city. As the Tempelhof-Schöneberg district administration reports, the high level of pollution caused by heated buildings that hardly cool down at night has a serious impact on people's well-being. Early heat protection in living spaces is not only a cool need, but also crucial for health.

The district mayor Jörn Oltmann emphasizes the need to inform the population about effective heat protection measures. A lecture will offer practical tips for cooling your home and saving energy. Simple solutions to keep living spaces pleasantly cool include external blinds, targeted night ventilation, fans and air conditioning units. Questions about the electricity consumption of these measures can be answered by an energy advisor from the consumer advice center.

Climate change and health

Climate change not only affects temperatures, but also health. According to that Climate Change Action Plan In Frankfurt am Main, which also includes a specific heat action plan, the average temperature rises steadily in summer. This has corresponding risks for the population, especially for older people or those with previous illnesses such as cardiovascular or lung diseases.

The WHO formulated the first heat action plan in 2008 to support cities and municipalities in developing action plans to adapt to extreme heat. Measures to create pleasant indoor conditions are becoming increasingly important, especially in retirement homes and other sensitive facilities.

Heat-related mortality statistics

Another dimension of this problem is heat-related deaths, which are determined using statistical methods. Studies conducted during hot summer weeks show that mortality rates increase, especially among older people. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) emphasizes that a combination of heat and existing pre-existing illnesses usually leads to deaths. Heat-related deaths in Germany are rarely directly stated as the cause, which is why they have to be recorded statistically.

The relationship between high temperatures, especially above 20 °C, and mortality rates is being intensively studied. Results of these analyzes have been published in weekly reports since 2023 to inform the public about the dangers of heat. Rising temperatures and the associated risks continue to require preventative measures in cities and communities.

A continued awareness of the consequences of climate change and the need for heat protection measures is essential for the quality of life of Berliners. In times of extreme weather, both individual and collective efforts are required to protect the health of the population and strengthen the resilience of cities.