Sharjah offers 'umbrella' to shield you from summer heat

Dubai - All activities will be free of charge and will seek to raise awareness on a number of harmful health practices.

As the summer months heat up, a new health campaign will be launched in Sharjah next month to tackle issues related to heat exhaustion, and residents are being encouraged to dust off their umbrellas to take shade from the sun.
Held under the slogan 'Umbrella', this year's edition of the Health and Tourism campaign, organised by the health promotion department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, will focus on raising awareness on the concept and challenges of heat exhaustion, as well as ways of preventing it.
The campaign, which has an online platform too, will run from August 1-30 and thousands of umbrellas and vehicle sun shades will be distributed during this period.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Iman Rashid Saif, director of the department, said the topic for this year was decided upon following field studies and surveys conducted throughout the emirate.
"Parents had suggested that a campaign focusing specifically on ways to tackle and prevent heat exhaustion would be beneficial, especially during the school vacation period."
Additionally, Saif said tourists were a key reason for choosing the topic of heat exhaustion.
"Many tourists who visit Sharjah are not often exposed to this kind of heat, so we need to make them safe and aware by explaining the dos and don'ts when going out to explore the city during the high temperatures."
While visiting several popular outdoor hotspots in Sharjah including Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah Cultural Palace, Sharjah National Park and Elyash park, residents and tourists will be encouraged to take part in or avail of a variety of educational workshops, free examinations, recreational games and competitions.
All activities will be free of charge and will seek to raise awareness on a number of harmful health practices that can be prevented during the summer season.
With Sharjah selected by the World Health Organisation as the region's First Healthy City, Saif said this campaign aims to uphold that title.
Now in its fifth edition, the campaign, held under the vision of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, has reached six million followers on its social media platforms during its last four editions.
This year, participants are being asked to use the hashtags #healthandtourism18 and #umbrella.
The announcement was attended by Majid Hamad Al Suwaidi, manager of domestic promotions department at Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.

Signs of heat exhaustion include: