Alcohol use surges in heatwave

The heatwave may be over for now in Geneva, but doctors are sounding the alarm - on booze, not the weather.

While most vulnerable people got through the hot spell okay, emergency services say alcohol caused a major headache.

Geneva’s 144 hotline and emergency rooms saw a spike in cases of acute alcohol poisoning - especially among those in their thirties.

Dr. Alessandro Cassini says their top concern wasn’t heatstroke, but alcohol-fueled incidents, including near drownings. 

In just one week, there were 68 alcohol-related ER visits and 45 ambulance callouts just for intoxication—13 of them serious.

The heat and alcohol combo is a dangerous mix. It dehydrates, lowers blood pressure, and masks danger signs. 

So next time it’s hot: drink less booze, more water - and don’t skip the snacks!

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