With summer well underway and temperatures rising, it is important to stay safe and keep in mind the potential dangers that the summer heat can bring.
Whether it’s to simply stay cool, keep your loved ones safe, or to be informed, these tips can potentially help you this summer.
1. STAY COOL AND STAY HYDRATED
Staying cool this summer can be done in several ways.
The type of clothing you wear will impact your ability to stay cool, and the CDC recommends you wear lightweight, light-colored, and/or loose-fitting clothing.
Be mindful of when you choose to be outside if possible. Depending on the time of day, temperatures can reach their peak and pose a threat.
Wearing sunscreen can also help prevent sunburn which could lead to dehydration in extreme cases. The CDC recommends you use sunscreen of at least 15 SPF or higher 30 minutes before you go out.
As temperatures start to rise, remember to keep hydrated especially if you find yourself outside and being active.
Don’t forget to keep your pets in mind. Make sure to give them plenty of water as well. Change their water often to keep it fresh and cool. Provide shelter for them so that they can get out of the sun.
2. VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
According to the CDC, heat is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths in the United States.
While rising temperatures will affect us all this summer, some groups are more vulnerable to it than others.
Weather.gov lists children and newborns, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions as being particularly vulnerable to extreme heat.
Inability to adapt to heat, potential side effects from medications, underlying health issues, and possible adverse birth outcomes are just some of the reasons to keep these vulnerable groups safe.
Lastly, remember to NEVER leave a child, elderly person, disabled person, or pet locked in a car. Doing so could lead to death within minutes in the most extreme of cases.
3. PREPARE
Rising temperatures can be amplified in the event of a heatwave, so it’s important to be prepared if you find yourself a victim of one.
Keeping your home cool can help prevent any adverse effects of high temperatures, and Ready.gov provides a few tips on how to do that.
Covering your windows with drapes or shades, weather-stripping your doors and windows, and using window reflectors such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard to reflect heat back outside are just some of the tips provided by Ready.gov.
In extreme cases, heat waves can lead to potential power outages for short or extended amounts of time.
This can be due to things such as increased demand or overloaded power lines, however, this loss of power can lead to dangers for the previously mentioned vulnerable populations.
Should you find yourself in this situation, be sure to have a plan in place on where to go to keep cool, and have necessary items on hand such as water, and appropriate clothing.
4. BE INFORMED
Knowing if there will be extreme temperatures ahead of time can make staying safe much easier.
Be sure to check local news for warnings or alerts on rising temperatures as well as potential tips on how to keep safe.
Also, be aware of the potential dangers of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn, and heat rash and what you can do to prevent or treat them.
To view an extensive list of the warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them, visit the CDC’s website.
* RED CROSS TIPS DURING A HEATWAVE:
Eat small meals and eat more often, use a buddy system when working in excessive heat, and frequently check on your family, friends, neighbors, and animals.