The summer heat can be dangerous, especially with extreme temperatures across the country. Here are some tips to help stay cool and healthy. Enjoy your summer and check out my puzzle pack on Bites and Stings. Expand your brain while playing a game.
Preventing Heat-Related Illness
• Protect yourself and others when it’s hot outside by staying cool, staying hydrated, and staying informed.
• Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible.
• Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
• 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.
• Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.
• Take a cool shower or bath to cool off.
• Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.
• Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours.
• Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover.
• Cut down on exercise during the heat.
• If you’re not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually.
• If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.
• Continue to reapply it according to the package directions.
• Look for sunscreens that say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels— these products work best.
• Avoid hot and heavy meals.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are.
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
• Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks—these cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
• If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.
• Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets and leave the water in a shady area.
• Check your local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips.
Learn signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
Heat_Related_Illness
