Watch out for sun and heat!

When enjoyed in moderation, sunlight promotes blood flow and circulation and enhances well-being. In excess, however, high-energy UV radiation in particular can be harmful to health. The tan that develops on the skin when exposed to strong UV radiation from the sun or a tanning bed is the body’s first protective response. If the body is not properly protected, sunburn can occur, which can lead to chronic skin damage such as skin cancer. To protect your health, you should follow the tips for protecting yourself from UV radiation. The UV Index (forecast) indicates how “sunburn-prone” the sun is.

Ozone is a gaseous substance that, in higher concentrations, can cause irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes in humans and animals. Ozone concentrations rise in the summer when air temperatures are high and solar radiation is intense. The latest ozone readings from air monitoring stations are promptly made available on the website of the Baden-Württemberg State Agency for the Environment.

To get through hot days, it’s especially important to drink enough, particularly in the heat hotspots of city centers. Through the “TRINK WAS(SER)” campaign, the city of Lahr, in cooperation with local businesses, is providing free drinking water. Participating businesses display the logo to indicate that they offer drinking water even to non-customers. The Lahr city map provides an overview of participating businesses and government offices, as well as public drinking fountains.

The number of hot days is increasing in Lahr, and the high temperatures are taking a toll on people. However, within the built-up area of the city of Lahr, there are also a few “climate oases” that are slightly cooler than the surrounding area. These can include churches with their thick walls, shady green spaces, and places where water helps keep the air cool. The Lahr city map provides an overview of these cooler spots—indoors, outdoors, and near or on the water.

Bathing waters are regularly tested for quality by the State Health Department in accordance with the Bathing Water Ordinance. In addition to the guideline and limit values for microbiological parameters that must be met, the water must have a visibility depth of at least one meter. The bathing water map provides an overview of the reported bathing waters in Baden-Württemberg that are regularly tested for microbiological contamination (e.g., Waldmattensee in Lahr).

If you have a drinking water connection, you should also use it to fill garden pools. When the pool is emptied, the water must be taken to the sewage treatment plant for purification. Discharge into a body of water, including via the rainwater drainage system, or seepage into your own garden is not permitted. Even if the pool water has not been chemically treated, for example with chlorine, the water is contaminated as a result of bathing.

There is a high risk of forest and vegetation fires in the Ortenau district(forest fire risk index, grassland fire index). People who go into the forest or grassland must be particularly careful to prevent fires.

• Smoking is prohibited in the forest from March 1 to October 31.
• Only use officially established barbecue and fireplaces. Check the forest fire danger index beforehand; if the danger level is 4 or 5, please refrain from using fires. Make sure that the fire is completely extinguished when you leave the barbecue/fireplace and never leave the fire unattended.
• Open fires outside the forest must always be at least 100 meters away from the edge of the forest.
• Do not park vehicles on grass or meadows, hot vehicle parts can ignite the vegetation.
• Always keep access roads into the forest and forest paths clear for emergency services.
• If you discover a fire in the forest, do not put yourself in danger and call the fire department immediately on 112.

Dogs and cats do not sweat and can only compensate for high outside temperatures to a limited extent. Providing fresh water and allowing them to retreat to cool and shady places will help them to feel better. Walks with the dog or outdoor walks for the cat should be moved to the cooler morning or evening hours. Asphalt paths and roads in particular can become very hot in the sun and "burn" dogs' paws.

Do not leave pets alone in the car in hot weather, even for a short time with the windows partially open. The inside of a parked car can heat up to well over 40 degrees Celsius within a few minutes and then the pet is at risk of a life-threatening heat stroke.

When temperatures rise in summer, maggots may develop in the gray garbage cans. The maggots in the gray garbage can are usually the larvae of houseflies and blowflies. They specifically seek out food waste, garbage and excrement and lay their eggs in them. At appropriate temperatures, the maggots of houseflies, for example, can hatch just twelve hours after laying their eggs. They feed on the waste, live in it for a few days and then pupate. Under favorable conditions, a new, sexually mature generation of flies can grow within a waste disposal cycle of fourteen days.

The following measures can help against maggots in the garbage can:

• The development of maggots from egg to adult fly is temperature-dependent. The cooler the temperature, the slower the development. The garbage can should therefore be kept as cool as possible throughout the summer and preferably placed in the shade.
• Flies are particularly attracted to protein-containing food waste such as sausage, meat and cheese waste because of the smell. For this reason, these - and all other waste - should not be placed openly in the residual waste garbage can in summer, but only in well-tied bin liners. Simply wrapping this waste in newspaper is not sufficient.
• Waste sticking to the bottom of the bin can prove to be a breeding ground for maggots. To avoid this, the garbage can should be cleaned every now and then after emptying. This will prevent the formation of odors and maggots.
• Clamping a piece of wood between the garbage can and lid prevents excessive heat and water vapor build-up, but opens the door to flies and invites them to lay their eggs. It is therefore better to keep the lid closed if it is not ensured that the waste is placed in the garbage can in knotted bin liners.

The climate risk analysis for Lahr clearly shows that Lahr will become even warmer and drier in the future. Extreme events, such as droughts and heat waves, will become more intense and frequent. The current situation regarding heavy rain and storms is not entirely clear, but a slight increase is expected here as well. Overall, the temperature forecasts are very robust, whereas the precipitation-based model predictions are subject to greater uncertainties.

It is therefore becoming increasingly important to address the issue of climate adaptation in your own community. The practical guide *Climate-Just Construction* from the German Institute for Urban Studies (also available for pickup at City Hall 2 and local administrative offices) describes problem areas that homeowners are highly likely to encounter. To be well prepared for the risks posed by extreme heat, heavy rain, and storms, the guide suggests appropriate structural and technical preventive measures. It doesn’t matter whether a house or apartment is being newly built, purchased, renovated, or remodeled—climate-resilient construction is worthwhile in every case. A checklist provides an overview of which measures for a climate-adapted new construction or renovation have already been planned or implemented, and in which areas there may still be a need for action. In addition, suggestions are provided regarding financing and grant opportunities. By thoughtfully combining these measures and leveraging the synergies highlighted in the guide, you can protect both your property and the climate.

• FAQ – Climate-Adapted Buildings (Baden-Württemberg State Agency for the Environment)
• Cooling Your Home: What Helps Combat Heat Inside? (Consumer Advice Center)