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CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 9) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     “The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” the spokesman explained.

     “The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention,” the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

  • Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
  • Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
  • Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
  • For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
  • Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 
  • Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
  • Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
  • Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
  • Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
  • Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
  • While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH’s Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO’s Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. read more

East Asia

London ETO promotes Hong Kong’s arts and culture in Finland with Hong Kong Children’s Choir (with photos)

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) promoted Hong Kong’s thriving arts and cultural life by co-presenting a concert with the Hong Kong Children’s Choir (HKCC) at the Finlandia Chamber Music Hall in Helsinki, Finland, on August 6 (Helsinki time).
 
     Once again performing in Finland after its previous appearance in 2012, the HKCC, heading towards its 50th anniversary, delivered a special concert that also featured the renowned Tapiola Choir from Espoo, Finland. The music comprised a varied repertoire of songs from East and West, including works by some of Hong Kong’s best-known and up-and-coming composers. Conducted by its Music Director and Principal Conductor, Kathy Fok, as well as conductors Dominic Lam and Vivian Suen, the HKCC performed, among other pieces, “Ave Maria” by Giulio Caccini, “Laudate Dominum” by John August Pamintuan and a specially commissioned piece by Darius Lim, “Children of Light”. It also performed pieces by its resident composer Steve Ho: “Let Music Flow”, “Kung Fu”, “MTR Song” and “In Search of Plum Flowers in the Rockies”.
 
     The Tapiola Choir, conducted by Pasi Hyökki, performed several songs composed by Finnish composers at the concert. They also performed “The Ritual Dance” – a spectacular five-part “primitive music” composition by Jukka Linkola in which they sang as a mass choir alongside the HKCC and the Yuen Long DAC Treble Choir, another guest choir joining the concert. The concert ended with the theme song of the HKCC’s 50th anniversary, “I Just Want to Sing”, performed by the HKCC and the Tapiola Choir together.
 
     Speaking at the opening of the concert, the Director-General of the London ETO, Ms Priscilla To, welcomed the choirs and talked about the closer collaboration between Hong Kong and Finland. “We are pleased to see that Finland and Hong Kong have in recent years built even closer ties on various fronts, including arts and culture collaboration. Last year, we collaborated with a number of Hong Kong arts groups, including the Musicus Society, the Hong Kong String Orchestra and the Hong Kong Arts Centre, to organise music concerts and a comics exhibition in Helsinki, Espoo, and Kauniainen,” she said.
 
     “In addition to being an international financial and business centre, Hong Kong has emerged as a leading arts and culture hub in the region. Orchestras, jazz ensembles, international film and arts festivals, art and design exhibitions and street performances reflect the diversity and vibrancy of Hong Kong’s cultural life.”
 
     Founded in 1969, the HKCC has grown into a diversified arts organisation for children. The HKCC has gained international acclaim for its performances and has earned a reputation as one of the best children’s choirs in the world. The Helsinki performance was part of a European tour in which the HKCC also took part in a major international choral festival in Tallinn, Estonia.

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East Asia