During the heat of summer, it is all too easy to suffer from heat exhaustion or other health problems. Heat is one of the most dangerous conditions, causing thousands of people to fall ill or even die every year. Many people do not realize just how dangerous heat can be until it is too late.
It is especially important for young children and the elderly to protect themselves from excessive heat, since their bodies are less able to deal with it. If you are caring for children or have elderly relatives or neighbors, be sure to check on them regularly and keep an eye out for signs of danger. By doing so, you can make sure that everyone stays safe.
Your body naturally cools itself by perspiring. Sweating is the body’s natural form of air conditioning, but sometimes the temperature is higher than your body can cope with. When this happens, your internal temperature will start to climb. If you are unable to cool yourself off, you can rapidly start to suffer the negative effects of heatstroke.
One of the most important things to do on a hot summer day is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You lose water when you sweat, so you need to make sure that you are replenishing these stores. Do not just drink when you feel thirsty. If you have to be active outdoors, you need even more water.
Sports drinks can also be a good choice, since these can replenish minerals that your body loses when sweating. However, avoid sodas or other sugary drinks. These can make you feel ill in the heat. Also avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages on hot days.
Have safe refuges where you can go to escape the heat, even if just for an hour or two. If you do not have air conditioning in your home, find a public space that is air conditioned, such as a library, mall, or other building. Many communities have cooling areas that they open during heat waves, so be sure to find out where the nearest one is located.
If you have to be outside, try to arrange your schedule so that you are outdoors in the morning or evening, when the sun is lower and the temperatures are not as high. Stay indoors out of the heat as much as you can between 10 am and 4 pm. Avoid wearing dark-colored clothes, since these absorb more heat from the sun.
Cars can get extremely hot very quickly during the summer, so never leave a child or animal alone in a car. Just opening a window will not help. When you park your car, make sure that everyone comes with you to escape the heat.
It can be hard to stay cool, especially during a heat wave. However, doing so is important if you want to protect your health. Use these tips so that you and your loved ones can stay safe, no matter how hot it may be outside.
Author : Aria Meyer is a freelance writer and an active blogger. She writes mainly about fashion and technology, but she also writes about other topics too. She is currently working with several ecommerce websites to help them with content. Aria got her Bachelor Degree from Cal State Long Beach and currently living in Walnut, CA. Right now, she is working closely with EDisasterSystems to help them grow the marketing department.