Dealing With the Summer Heat
Healthy doses of vitamin D produced by your body strengthen your immune system and increase serotonin levels to help boost your mood. While a sunny summer day can provide a lot of enjoyment, soaring summer temperatures, and extreme heat pose life–threatening health risks.
What is extreme heat?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Depending on where you live (e.g., Las Vegas, Phoenix, Miami), some hot temperatures may be considered average for that region at particular times of the year.
Signs of heat–related illnesses
Heat cramp — muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms, or legs
Heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, fatigue, weak pulse
Heatstroke — extremely high temperature (over 103 degrees on an oral thermometer), rapid pulse, dizziness, confusion, and red, hot, dry skin with no sweat
Who is at the highest risk?
Ages 65 and older
Children younger than 2
Youth sports participants
People who are chronically sick or overweight
Here are some tips to help you beat the heat:
Drink Up
Drink plenty of water; don’t wait until you’re thirsty
If you have pets, be sure to keep their water bowls filled
Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol; both can promote dehydration
Stay indoors
Close curtains and pull down shades to darken your rooms
Turn off lights and computer, which generate heat
Don’t use a stove or oven to cook
Cooling effect
If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a public facility (libraries, malls, community centers) that does
Please don’t rely on a ceiling or floor fan exclusively to cool you off; it only circulates hot air
Go to your basement; it’s the coolest place in the house
Take it easy outside
Limit outdoor activities (walking the dog, cutting grass) to before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m., when it’s cooler
Wear loose, lightweight, and light–colored clothing, a wide–brimmed hat, and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen (SPF15 or higher) if you plan to go outdoors
Take care of others
Never leave children or pets in the car
Don’t leave your pets outside
Check on older family members and neighbors
References:
Extreme Heat | Ready.gov
About Extreme Heat | Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC
Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather! | NCEH | CDC
Heat Wave Safety | Heat Exhaustion Safety | Red Cross
Surviving the Hot Weather - National Safety Council (nsc.org)
Hyperthermia: What You Need to Know About Heat-Related Illness (webmd.com)
Hot Weather Safety for Older Adults | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
Keep pets safe in the heat | The Humane Society of the United States
