Stay Safe This Summer
Heat is typically the leading cause of weather-related fatalities each year. To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high, remember to keep cool and use common sense.
During extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. Learn the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.
Here are some tips to practice in order to stay safe during the sweltering summer months:
Stay indoors and, if possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperatures soar in to the 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to bring your body temperature down.
Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your house.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
Sunburn can slow your skin’s ability to release excess heat. Wear sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).
If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body will have a chance to cool down.
Avoid hot foods and heavy meals – they add heat to your body.
DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS IN VEHICLES
Never leave children, disabled adults or pets in parked vehicles. Studies have shown that the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rapidly rise to a dangerous level for children, pets and even adults.
Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate. The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies have not developed the ability to efficiently regulate its internal temperature.
To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car.
During hot weather you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink.
Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar since they cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks as they can cause stomach cramps.
Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from your body. A sports beverage can replace these items necessary for optimal health.
If you are active in the heat, drink 2-4 glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour.
Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets and leave the water in a shady area.
Even short periods of high temperatures can cause serious health problems. Doing too much on a hot day, spending too much time in the sun, or staying too long in an overheated place can cause heat-related illnesses.
Although any one can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:
- Infants and children up to 4 years old are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures.
- People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperatures.
- People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
- People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
- People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.
Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Know the symptoms of heat disorders and overexposure to the sun.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate access to fluids.
Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, individuals with high blood pressure, and those working or exercising in a hot environment.
Warning Signs of HEAT EXHAUSTION include:
- Heavy sweating
- Paleness
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fainting
- Cool and moist skin
- Fast and weak pulse
- Fast and shallow breathing
If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Help the individual cool off and seek medical treatment if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.
HEAT STROKE
Heat strokes occur when the body is unable to regulate its internal temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down.
Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Warning Signs of HEAT STROKE include:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F)
- Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 for immediate medical assistance.