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Protect Yourself From Extreme Heat

Published: Friday, June 6, 2008

Extreme heat is when the temperature reaches more than 10 degrees or more above the average high. These temperatures will last for several weeks. First rule is to stay cool, and use common sense with these excessive temperatures.

Consume plenty of fluids. You will need to increase your regular fluid intake regardless of your activity level. Stay well hydrated and do not wait until you get thirsty to drink. When you are increasing your activity level, especially in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour. Make sure that if you are under a physician’s care, and he limits your fluid intake or has you on a water pill, ask him how much fluid you should be drinking during the hot weather. Sugary drinks and alcohol will deplete your body of fluids. Also, drink slowly and avoid extremely cold drinks due to stomach cramping and nausea.

Protect your skin. Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher that say “UVA/UVB protection” or “broad spectrum” on their labels. Apply the sunscreen about 30 minutes before going outside and continue to reapply. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting and lightweight clothing for going outside. If you get a sunburn, your body’s ability to cool itself and its loss of body fluid is affected.

Rearrange your outdoor schedule to early in the morning or later in the evening to enjoy outdoor activities. Help your body recover its natural temperature by enjoying the shady areas as much as possible.

When you do outdoor activities, let someone know you are going out in the heat or work with someone. You want to make sure you are checking on each other in case there is a heat-related illness.

These are individuals that are considered high risk for a heat-related illness.

• Infants and children who are up to age 4
• People 65 years or older
• People who are overweight
• People who do too much during work or exercise
• People who are physically ill (high blood pressure or who take certain types of medications)

 

Never leave a child, adult or animal in a parked car. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes. You are putting a loved one at a great risk for a heat related illness such as a heat stroke.

Use common sense when dealing with extremely hot temperatures.

• Avoid hot foods and heavy meals.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks containing alcohol.
• Dress infants in cool loose-fitting clothing.
• Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours.
• Do not leave infants, children, adults or pets in a parked vehicle.
• Provide fresh water and shady areas for your pets.

 

Heat Stroke

This happens when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. The body temperature will rapidly raise and the sweating mechanism fails, which will not allow the body to cool itself down. The body temperature will rise 106 or higher in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Recognizing a Heat Stroke 

• An extremely high body temperature of 103 degrees or higher
• Red, hot, dry skin and no sweating
• Rapid strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness

 

If you come across someone with these signs get help immediately. Call 911. Move the victim to a shady area and try to use cool towels to cool them down. Do not give the victim fluids to drink.

Heat Exhaustion

This is a milder form of a heat related illness. It may take several days of exposure to the extreme temperatures and nonsufficient intake of fluids. Elderly people and those with high blood pressure are more prone to heat exhaustion.

Recognizing Heat Exhaustion

• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting

 

If the heat exhaustion is not treated, it is possible to progress into a heat stroke. Provide the victim with a cool non alcoholic drink, a cool shower or bath will help bring down the body temperature slowly. Monitor the victim and make sure the symptoms do not get worse—usually within one hour the victim is doing better. Always seek immediate medical attention if there is any change and you feel it is an emergency situation.

Visit Emergency and Trauma Services for more information on emergencies.

 

References
www.cdc.gov