Wow! This past week we got suddenly hit with a large dose of mid-summer heat. Perhaps that means it is a good time for us to review some summer safety tips.
Believe it or not, there are more illnesses, injuries, and deaths due to the heat of summer than to lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes. Accordingly, the effect of heat on us and our families should not be taken lightly. There are several heat safety recommendations and tips to help us through the heat such as we have had recently:
1. Drink Water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
2. Dress For The Heat. Wear lightweight, light colored clothing. Light colors will reflect some of the heat’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats, or even use an umbrella. To make a fashion statement, call it a parasol.
3. Eat Small Meals, and Eat More Often. Avoid foods high in protein, which increase your metabolic heat. Increasing metabolic heat is like putting fuel on your internal fire, and also increases water loss.
4. Slow Down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is close to dawn.
5. Stay Indoors When Possible. When heat is excessive, avoid staying outside for long periods of time.
6. Take Regular Breaks. When engaged in physical activity on warm days, take time out to find a cool place. If you recognize if you, or someone else, is showing the signs of heat related illness, stop activity and find a cool place.
7. Don’t Get Too Much Sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation much more difficult. Further, too much sun drastically increases the risk for skin cancer. Be particularly careful with the tender skin of young children.
Remember to have fun! But, please be safe and stay cool during our hot weather.