Summer is just around the corner, and we’re nearly at a point where we can forget the extremely chilly winter we experienced this year. These nice, breezy warmer days are sure to get even warmer, and so we thought we’d pass along a few tips on dealing with the heat this year.
From 1979-2002, more people died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined (almost 9,000). The elderly, children, and people with certain medical conditions, like heart disease, are at greater risk. But even healthy, young people can succumb to heat. Consult your physician immediately if you think you have a heat-related ailment.
Also, we encourage you to Live United by checking on your elderly neighbors on the especially hot days this summer.
A few tips to remember to beat the heat:
1—Never leave anyone alone in a closed, parked car—for any amount of time.
- The temperature can rise more than 30 degrees per minute in a closed, parked car. Cracking the windows slightly, or parking in the shade (with windows up) does not provide heat relief.
- If you see an unattended elderly or disabled person, child, or pet in a closed, parked vehicle, call store/mall security or 911 immediately.
2—Talk to your doctor if you take regular medication.
- Some medications can cause adverse reactions in hot weather or direct sunlight. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed by a physician.
3—Drink a lot of water.
- Avoid alcoholic, carbonated, caffeinated, and high sugar/high fructose beverages.
4—Eat fully-cooked, frequent small meals.
- Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
- Beware of food poisoning. Cook meat thoroughly and don’t leave refrigerated / frozen food out long.
5—Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Spend time in your basement if you don’t have air-conditioning in your home, or go someplace like a public library, movie theater, or shopping mall.
- On extremely hot and humid days, bring outdoor pets inside or into the basement where it’s cooler. Keep cats and other small animals inside.
6—Shut blinds or curtains during the day.
- Open windows slightly to release trapped hot air.
- Use fans to blow hot air out of your home. Do not direct fans to blow inward at you. Fans can increase heat loss.
- Use your AC if you have it. It’s more energy-efficient to use the “energy save” mode on your AC all day versus cranking the AC for a few hours when you get home.
7—Take cooler (not cold) baths or showers.
8—Practice outdoor water wisdom.
- It’s never too late to learn how to swim. Many of our partner agencies, like the YWCA, offer swimming lessons for people of all ages.
- Review and practice the rules of safe boating.
9—Cover-up and protect.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher and talk to your family and friends about the importance of sun protection.
- Use bug repellent whenever appropriate.
- Always use a helmet when skating, biking, or engaging in any sport on wheels.
10—Limit your time outside.
- Avoid the sun during the middle of the day.
- Keep walks and other physical activity (for you and your pet) at a minimum. Take shorter walks before the sun comes up or after it sets. When walking your dog, don’t leave him standing on hot asphalt—sensitive paws can burn quickly.
- On outings, bring plenty of drinking water for you and a gallon of drinking water for your dog. Chose a location where you and he can frequently rest in the shade.
Sources: American Red Cross, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Mayo Clinic, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Tags: Elgin, heat safety tips, Summer safety, United Way, United Way of Elgin
