Steps to Prevent Heat Related Illnesses

Summertime is a time filled with activities with kids home from school, plenty of activities occurring outside. Summer fun, however, comes with summer heat and that can impact you and your children’s health.

With intense and rapid increases of heat thanks to hotter than average temperatures, the body struggles to regulate its temperature and can cause a multitude of problems, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even hyperthermia. These can eventually lead to deaths and hospitalizations, especially among immunocompromised people and elderly. Indirect health impacts can also occur, including increased ambulance call-outs, which can delay the arrival of much needed help for other emergency needs, as well as increased risk of accidents and disruptions of infrastructure.

There are ways to avoid these heat-related impacts by taking these steps:

• Keep your home cool: Room temperatures should be below 89 degrees during the day and below 75 degrees at night, particularly for infants, individuals with chronic health conditions and the elderly. Also, take advantage of the cooler night air, by opening windows. Other ways to keep your home cool include limiting other electrical use, hanging shades on windows, hanging wet towels to cool the room air as well as using an air conditioning unit and electric fans.
• Keep out of the heat: This can involve spending time in a public air-conditioned building, staying in the coolest room in your house at night and staying in the shade. Avoid going outside at the hottest time of the day and avoid physical activity during peak heat as well. If outdoor exercise is needed, be sure to complete it in the early morning hours or late at night, but practice safety if exercising alone in the dark. Also never leave children or pets unattended in parked vehicles. On a related note, medications should stay below 78 degrees or be stored in the refrigerator to prevent any complications.
• Keep your body cool and hydrated: Eat small meals frequently as well as drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You should also use light linens and sheets when sleeping to stay cool at night as well as wearing light, loose-fitting clothes made from natural materials like cotton. Also, taking cool showers and baths will help keep your body chill during intense heat. If you need to head outside, make sure to wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes and head from the sun’s intense rays.
• Help others: Make sure to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbors who live alone as they may need much needed help on hot days. This can include helping them get advice or support. Elderly and sick people particularly need to be visited at least once a day. Getting first-aid training on how to treat heat emergencies can also be valuable in a crisis. 
• If you’ve taken these steps, but are still experiencing heat related illnesses: Get help, especially if you feel dizzy, weak, have intense thirst or a headache, and move to a cool spot as soon as possible. Drinking water, fruit juice and beverages rich in electrolytes can help rehydrate you as well. If experiencing painful muscle spasms, you should rest immediately. If symptoms persist or unusual symptoms like hot dry skin and delirium, convulsions and unconsciousness, consult your doctor immediately.

With this action plan in mind, you can help keep you and others safe in the midst of a heat wave and still enjoy the joys summer brings. 

Source: who.int

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(Image provided by Jana Wersch via pixabay.com)