It’s always good to have a few heat safety reminders now that summer is almost officially here. Did you know that heat has killed more people in the last 10 years than any other weather phenomena?
- DO NOT leave kids or pets in the car. Their bodies can’t regulate the heat.
2. Don’t forget the sunscreen! You can get a list of the safest sunscreen for 2019 and guidelines on how to choose the best sunscreen with our handy guide.
3. Dress for summer. Wear clothes to help protect you. Shirts, hats, shorts and pants will protect from UV rays and reduce your risk by 27% (ewg.org) Sit in the shade! Bring a canopy or umbrella to keep shade handy. Wear sunglasses. They will protect your eyes.
4. Practice heat safety wherever you are. Heading out in the car? Grab some extra water for the trip ahead. Think and plan ahead.
5. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- HEAT CRAMPS
- Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms, or legs
- Actions: Go to a cooler location. Remove excess clothing. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if cramps last more than an hour.
- HEAT EXHAUSTION
- Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, or fainting
- Actions: Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down. Loosen or remove clothing. Take a cool bath. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.
- HEAT STROKE
- Signs: Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) taken orally; red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; dizziness; confusion; or unconsciousness
- Actions: Call 911 or get the person to a hospital immediately. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.
6. Stay hydrated. Don’t wait until you feel parched. Sip small amounts throughout the day. Here are some things to add to your diet!
- Enough water!
- Herbal Teas
- Natural fruits & veggies: watermelon, grapefruit, cantaloupe, berries, oranges, peaches, pineapple, cucumber, celery, iceberg lettuce, zucchini, tomato, bell peppers, cauliflower, eggplant, raw spinach, carrots
Now that we have those reminders out of the way, we can go have some fun! What are your favorite ways to cool down in the heat?
