No one can deny that warm weather is much nicer than the brutal winds of winter. Even though the presence of rain appears to be a constant this spring, the occasional 80-degree days here and there are a nice reminder that summer is just days away. Warm weather can be so inviting it is important to remember how to not only prepare for the heat but to navigate warm temperatures when we have to be outdoors.
The warmer it is outside the desire to be outdoors grows. However, one of the best protections against the heat is simple: stay indoors. Nevertheless, if one must be in the heat, here are some safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to help counter heat exhaustion:
• Drink fluids. It is important not to wait until you’re thirsty but to try to stay well hydrated.
• Stay away from alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages have the opposite effect of water in the heat as they cause the body to lose fluid.
• Stay indoors, if possible.
• Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing
•NEVER leave a person or pets in a closed parked vehicle.
For those who might have to be outdoors for work or even play, there are some specific things one can do to help prevent heat-related illness. They include:
• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, it is advised to drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour.
• Rest often and in a shady area.
• Protect yourself against the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Medicine.Net.com offers some signs of heat exhaustion. Some symptoms include profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, headache and muscle cramps. If these symptoms are not addressed quickly, exhaustion can turn into heat stroke. This can be fatal.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Health Administration launched a nationwide campaign last year to educate employers and employees about the hazards of working in the heat and protect workers against heat-related illnesses. A total of 30 people died of heat stroke in 2010, according to data from the Department of Labor.
Just as fun as soaking up the sun can be, it can also be dangerous if safety is forgotten. Be safe this summer.