Tips to keep your cool this warm weekend
Published 11:55 am Friday, July 24, 2009
Warm weather conditions are what we look forward to every summer in the Pacific Northwest region.
But our temperatures are expected to climb to levels that could be dangerous for many people.
Eastside Fire and Rescue is urging people to keep their cool by following a few safety tips:
• Drink more fluids (non-alcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him or her how much you should drink while the weather is hot. Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave anyone, including pets, in a closed, parked vehicle.
Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others: infants and young children, people aged 65 or older, people with mental illness or who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion:
An extremely high body temperature (above 103)
Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
Rapid, strong pulse, dizziness, nausea, confusion
Throbbing headache
Unconsciousness
Warning signs of heat stroke:
Heavy sweating
Paleness
Muscle cramps
Dizziness, weakness, tiredness
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Fainting
Anyone experiencing these warning signs, call 911 immediately.
If you must be out in the heat:
Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk to your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
Try to rest often in the shady areas.
Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/Features/ExtremeHeat
Print Version at: www.eastsidefire-rescue.org/
