🧲Your body is sending warning signals right now and you're probably ignoring them.
South Africa’s festive season is known for high temperatures, sudden heatwaves, long travel days and increased health risks. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, headaches and medical emergencies rise sharply at this time of year — but with the right steps, many of these issues are preventable.
Thousands of people experience early symptoms of heat illness and brush them off.
That persistent headache you've had since lunch? Not stress.
The dizziness when you stood up? Not low blood pressure.
These are signs of medical emergencies in slow motion.
South Africa is bracing for another extreme summer, but this year, the heat behaves differently. After 2024’s hottest summer on record, with temperatures soaring beyond 42°C in Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape, and parts of the Free State, the country enters the 2025 festive season under the influence of a La Niña cycle. While La Niña typically brings cooler global conditions, in Southern Africa it triggers the opposite effect: more humidity, higher nighttime temperatures, and intense heat episodes between rainfall cycles. The result means fewer cooling periods, heavier heat stress, and longer stretches of oppressive temperatures. Early climate outlooks warn that 2025’s summer may include extended multi-day heat waves, extremely high UV levels, and sudden humidity spikes, conditions that increase the risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat-related emergencies across all provinces.
Every December, predictable tragedies unfold:
Every single case was preventable. Do not ignore the signs
Early heat stress symptoms most people ignore:
Ignore these and you could be facing heatstroke within 30 minutes — a life-threatening emergency.
The Stages of Heat Illness Heat illness happens in stages, and knowing the early warning signs can save a life. It usually starts with heat cramps, which are your body's first sign that it's getting too hot and losing important fluids and salts. If exposure continues, it can then progress to heat exhaustion, a more serious stage marked by heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea requiring immediate cooling and hydration. Without prompt action, heat exhaustion can escalate into heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency where the body’s temperature rises dangerously high, sweating may stop, and confusion or loss of consciousness can occur. At this point, urgent medical help is critical.
Every 3 hours of heat exposure:
Simple. Effective. Lifesaving.
☀️ Before 10h00 - Your Safe Window
Exercise, errands, outdoor tasks.
🔥 10h00-16h00 - The Danger Zone
Stay indoors. Dress light. Take breaks. Never leave kids or pets in cars.
💧 Hydration
Drink every 30 minutes.
Eat water-rich foods (watermelon, cucumber, oranges).
Avoid alcohol, energy drinks, sugary beverages.
Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you take:
Do NOT adjust your own doses. Get medical guidance.
Get emergency help immediately for:
Time equals survival.
Include:
Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready when emergencies arise
🍼 Infants & Toddlers
Heat up 3–5 times faster.
👵 Elderly Adults
Reduced thirst and temperature awareness.
🤰 Pregnant Women
Higher core temperature and dehydration risk.
💊 People with Chronic Illness
Heart, kidney, respiratory, diabetic and obese individuals are at higher risk.
👷 Outdoor Workers
Have the right to shade, breaks, and water.
Heat affects:
Be gentle with yourself and others.
Never leave:
In a car when it is extremely hot outside
Heat illness is preventable.
Your family needs you healthy.
Your plans depend on you staying well.
Don’t let extreme summer temperatures steal your festive season.
You don’t have to navigate heat-related health concerns alone. Your Solace plan includes benefits that give you fast, practical support — especially when temperatures soar.
Your Plan Includes:
✅ 24/7 Nurse Advice Line
Unsure whether it’s dehydration, heat exhaustion, or something more serious?
Call anytime — day or night — for medical guidance before rushing to a clinic.
✅ Mental Wellness Helpline(Prestige Wellness Plan)
Heat + festive stress = emotional overload.
Get confidential support from trained counsellors.
✅ Medical Ambulance Response
If a heat emergency strikes, you get fast assistance.
📞 Need Help? Reach out anytime
Small, consistent steps taken now can prevent bigger problems later.
💬 WhatsApp: +27 (76) 412 9990 (type "Hi" to start chatting)
☎️ Call: 0860 765 223
✉️Email: info@solacebenefits.co.za
Solace — With you, every step of the way.
Whether you're unsure about symptoms, worried about heat exhaustion, or need medical advice — your Solace team is here 24/7.
Call Solace now on 0860 765 223 or SMS "Help" to 31690 to arrange your Trauma Assist benefit. Our consultants are waiting for your call.
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