Deggendorf fights against the heat: cooling islands for everyone!

Deggendorf fights against the heat: cooling islands for everyone!

The heat has Germany firmly under control and temperatures in Deggendorf are also expected to be **above 30 degrees** in the coming days. What does this mean for the residents? In such tropical temperatures it is important to keep a cool head and take care of yourself. Therefore, the city has now reacted to the rising temperatures and set up *cooling islands* in the city center that are intended to serve as shady retreats, as the city of Deggendorf points out in its report deggendorf.de explained.

The cooling islands are specifically designed for citizens who live in small, non-coolable apartments, as well as for visitors who are looking for a place to cool off. Here people can find both seating and free water - a welcome refreshment in the heat. The locations of these cooling islands include:

• Foyer im Neuen Rathaus: Montag bis Freitag von 8:00 – 12:00 Uhr, Montag, Dienstag und Donnerstag von 13:00 – 16:00 Uhr.
• Tourist Information im Alten Rathaus: Montag bis Freitag von 9:00 – 18:00 Uhr, Samstag von 9:00 – 12:00 Uhr.
• Stadtmuseum Deggendorf: Dienstag bis Samstag von 10:00 – 16:00 Uhr, Sonn- und Feiertage von 10:00 – 17:00 Uhr.
• Stadtbibliothek Deggendorf: Dienstag bis Freitag von 10:00 – 18:00 Uhr, Samstag von 10:00 – 12:00 Uhr.

Cooling in nature

The **green cooling island** in the Stadthallenpark is particularly inviting. Here, a forest water fountain and shady trees help to make the heat a little more bearable. If you are looking for even more variety, you will find additional seating and a drinking water fountain on 700 m² on the Stadtklimaweg between Metzgergasse and Pfleggasse. Other public drinking water fountains in Pfleggasse, in Gleisdreieck and at the Deichgärten parking deck also ensure that the people of Deggendorf can always drink enough fluids during this hot phase.

But even if the city acts proactively with these offers, the health risks of heat waves should not be underestimated. Markus Mühlbauer, the rescue service manager at the BRK, warns in an article in the Passauer Neue Presse pnp.de from heat strokes and circulatory problems, which can particularly affect younger people. To avoid heat damage, it is recommended to drink a lot (but not alcohol), avoid the midday sun and, if necessary, wear a hat.

Health care in the heat

These recommendations are becoming increasingly important as the number of heat-related illnesses has increased in recent years. In Germany, around 8,000 people died because of the heat in the summer of 2018, reports health information healthy.bund.de. The urban infrastructure and the close proximity of buildings contribute to heat accumulating in city centers, making it difficult to cool down at night. People with chronic illnesses, the elderly and children are particularly at risk.

This can be counteracted primarily by providing the right fluids and electrolytes. So if you take good care of yourself and use the cooling islands, you can survive the days with *dream weather* unscathed. Deggendorf is well prepared for the challenges of the hot summer and offers its citizens a good way to cool off.