DOH to public schools: Open classroom windows, give time water break

The Department of Health on Tuesday urged officials of public schools to open their windows and encourage students to drink more water to avoid heat stresses amid the warm season.

At a press conference, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire reminded students to bring their water bottles and drink water frequently, even if they were not thirsty.

She said eight glasses of water a day would be enough.

“Sa mga public schools natin, lagi nating buksan ang mga bintana. Bigyan natin ng panahon ang ating mga estudyante na makainom ng tubig, makatayo doon sa pinagkakaupuan nila at magkaron ng maayos na daloy ng hangin sa loob ng mga classrooms so that we don’t suffer these kinds of heat stresses,” Vergeire said.

(To our public schools, always open the windows. Let's give our students time to drink water, stand up, and have proper airflow inside the classrooms so that we don't suffer these kinds of heat stresses.)

Vergeire also suggested that school canteens avoid serving food that would spoil easily.

Last Thursday, over a hundred students from Gulod National High School-Mamatid Extension fell ill during a surprise fire drill, with some passing out due to hunger and dehydration. The School Division Office in Cabuyao said 83 students were taken to hospitals.

On the day of the drill, the heat index in the city hovered between 39 to 42 degrees Celsius, according to a disaster management official.

The next day, more students fell ill while taking classes, with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CDRRMO) finding out that the circuit breaker in the school building was off and the windows in classrooms were closed.

Vergeire advised the general public against going out from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the heat is usually at its peak. She also suggested wearing hats or using umbrellas during this period.

She also reminded pet owners to make their pets drink water often, place them in cooler areas, and bathe them at least once a week to avoid heat stress or heat stroke. —NB, GMA Integrated News