Main-Kinzig district starts heat telephone: Help for seniors at risk!

Main-Kinzig district starts heat telephone: Help for seniors at risk!

What a hot topic! A free hotline for vulnerable groups will be available in the Main-Kinzig district in Hesse from June 16, 2025. This is a response to the growing health risks posed by high temperatures - particularly for older and chronically ill people. Loud Fulda newspaper The service is aimed at everyone who is particularly exposed to the heat, such as people in need of care.

The heat telephone will be active in the period from June 16th to August 29th, and although the German Weather Service (DWD) keeps an eye on the temperatures during these months, the heat telephone works particularly well when a heat warning is issued. The Main-Kinzig district informs registered people - every day by telephone between 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.

How does registration work?

Anyone who would like to benefit from this service must register with the Office for Health and Safety. This can be done easily by phone at (06051) 8514600 or by email at buergerinformation@mkk.de. Anyone who has already registered in previous years can be happy: These people will be contacted automatically and usually do not have to do anything further.

But what can callers expect? Trained employees are available to give tips on heat protection and check possible health problems. If necessary, the family doctor can also be informed. However, individual health advice is not part of the offer. The aim of the initiative is to educate the population about the health risks during heat periods.

Heat as a health risk

The rising temperatures are anything but harmless. The Federal Environment Agency explains that a so-called “hot day” is defined as a day on which the temperature rises above 30°C. These days have increased dramatically in Germany over the last two decades, especially in the hot summers of 2003, 2015, 2018 and 2022.

The health consequences are far-reaching. According to that Robert Koch Institute Extreme temperatures have a particularly fatal impact on older people, pregnant women, children and those with chronic illnesses. Studies show that around 15,600 additional people died from heat in Germany in the hot summers of 2018 and 2019.

These developments highlight how urgently we need effective measures to prevent and protect against heat. Future forecasts indicate that the number of hot days and tropical nights will continue to increase due to climate change. Responsible decisions and comprehensive information are required – in the Main-Kinzig district and throughout Germany.

The heat telephone initiative is a first, important step to support people at risk and to help them in the heat. After all, it must be important to all of us that our neighbors are well looked after in the intense summer heat!