Dealing with Severe Heat and Keeping Safe During Summer
With heat waves getting hotter and more frequent, we must prepare for extreme heat’s dangerous effects. Maintain your composure by staying inside during the hottest times of the day, eating foods high in water, and drinking lots of water. Watch out for early warning signs of heat illness, such as muscle cramping, fatigue, nausea, or dizziness. If you see any of these, seek medical attention immediately.
Wear a Hat
Sweltering heat can cause irritability and anxiety, exacerbate mental health conditions, and make it harder for some people to cool off. It also can make prescription drugs less effective. Extreme heat can lead to serious illness, especially for young children, older adults, outdoor workers, and those without efficient air conditioning. Spending even a few hours in an air-conditioned room can help your body stay more relaxed.
Stay Cool
Heatwave conditions can affect health and increase the risk of serious illness. These conditions can include heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke. They are especially dangerous for older adults, children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. They can also be hard on those who are homeless or lack efficient air conditioning.
Watch for symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or a high body temperature. If someone shows these signs, get them to a cool place immediately. Air conditioning can your house, keeping it cool and comfortable throughout the summer. Air conditioners help reduce allergies and asthma symptoms by eliminating dust, pollen, and other airborne particles from the atmosphere. A certified, experienced professional air conditioning company should permanently install an AC unit. With the necessary skills and experience, installing an air conditioner on your own can be a manageable task. You might lower the cooling unit’s efficiency or cause damage to it. Instead of worrying about installing an air conditioner, you will raise the cost of cooling your house.
Drink Plenty of Water
Extreme heat can lead to dehydration, especially for children, older adults, and those with medical conditions. Even mild dehydration can make it more challenging to think clearly and increase your risk of heat-related illnesses. Drink plenty of water – non-alcoholic drinks are best, and avoid caffeinated beverages. Replace salt and minerals lost through heavy sweating with sports drinks. Keep a close eye on friends and family members who are vulnerable, particularly older people.
Wear Light Clothing
Extreme heat poses health risks, especially for infants, children, older people, and those with chronic medical conditions. Severe symptoms of heat exhaustion require immediate medical attention. Keep an eye on the temperature and the heat index (which takes humidity into account). Check on family, friends, and neighbors who live alone or have a chronic illness. Offer to take them out during more excellent times of the day.
Take Breaks
Crews need to take breaks frequently to rehydrate and cool down. Shortening work times and interspersing them with short rest periods can help conserve energy and reduce heat stress symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or cramping. Workers will also be protected from heat exhaustion and heat stroke by taking regular breaks. These conditions can result in potentially fatal diseases like rhabdomyolysis and renal failure.
Stay in The Shade
Sweltering heat can do more than make you irritable. Dehydration, heart disease, and even death are possible outcomes. Recognizing the signs of heat-related illness, such as heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, and nausea, is essential. People with health conditions and those on certain medications are at greater risk, as are young children and elderly adults.
Wear Sunscreen
During heatwaves, high temperatures can cause dehydration and other health problems. People with certain conditions, such as heart or lung disease, can be particularly at risk. Seek out family, friends, and neighbors who might be in danger. They include those living alone, children, elderly, those taking medication for heart or blood pressure, and people with mental health conditions. Look for early symptoms of heat illness.
Don’t Overwork
Excessive heat hurts and kills. It is the number one weather-related killer, and it takes a toll on those who are most vulnerable. Workers should talk to their bosses about working conditions during heatwaves. They can use the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s laws against retaliation to fight for their rights. Keeping tabs on friends and family who live alone is also essential, primarily by conducting wellness checks.
Don’t Drink Alcohol
Summer barbecues, beach outings, and pool parties are a lot of fun, but drinking alcohol in extreme heat can be dangerous. Alcohol affects the body’s capacity to control its temperature, which increases the risk of heat illness and dehydration. If you notice someone flushed to the skin, having trouble focusing or seeming confused, get them out of the sun and into a cool area, drink non-alcoholic fluids, and call for medical help immediately.
