Montgomery Health Department reminds you to protect yourself and your loved ones when temperatures become dangerously high.
Check often on family, friends and neighbors who are at high risk. Never ever leave children, pets, or those who require special care in a parked car during periods of intense summer heat. Older adults, young children and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at higher risk for heat-related illness. Young and healthy individuals also are at risk if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.
Keep yourself cool; stay indoors during the hottest times of the day, seek out air-conditioned locations, such as libraries, malls and cooling centers; take cool showers or baths; limit outdoor activities to the morning and evening hours; avoid direct sunlight; wear loose, light-colored clothing; use a shade hat or an umbrella to block the sun.
Drink plenty of fluids to replace what you lose through sweat. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink; avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages and sugary drinks; bring a beverage with you to sip frequently when outdoors.
If you have a health condition that requires that you limit fluids, talk with your doctor about your particular situation. Be aware that some medications can increase sensitivity to the heat. According to the New Jersey Poison Control Center, Medications such as; antidepressants, antihistamines (allergy medications), diuretics (water pills), and antipsychotics have all been known to increase the risk of heatstroke/ sunstroke, a condition that occurs when a person's body temperature rises to a dangerous level. Unless directed by a health care professional, do not take salt tablets or use products that may interfere with your medications or adversely affect your medical condition. Always check with your doctor and/or pharmacist.
If you are going to be outdoors for work or pleasure, plan heat-safe activities; pace yourself by scheduling breaks in shady areas; eat many small meals and snacks rather than a few big meals; avoid sunburn by using sunscreen products with a high sun protection factor (SPF) rating.
Recognize heat exhaustion and h
eat stroke in yourself and others. Symptoms include muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. If you see someone with signs of overheating, move the person to a cooler location, have them rest for a few minutes and then have them slowly drink a cool beverage. Get immediate medical attention if they do not feel better.
Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can cause death or permanent disability unless treated immediately.
Symptoms of heat stroke include an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F); red, hot, dry skin; a rapid, strong pulse; nausea, confusion and unconsciousness. If you think someone has heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately, and begin cooling them down, as you would for heat exhaustion.
Other Tips to prevent heat illness:
- Hot cars can kill within minutes. Never leave children or pets alone inside parked cars. Leaving the widows down does not prevent temperatures inside the car from rising to deadly levels.
- Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death.
- Drink plenty of water (fluids) throughout the day and less tea, coffee, cola and alcoholic beverages! Do not wait until you feel thirsty to drink - it may be too late!
- Reduce or schedule outdoor activity for cooler times of the day, before 10am and after 6pm.
- During outdoor activities, take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water or other fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting, open-woven clothes.
- Wear a vented hat in the sun to protect yourself from the sun's rays. Don't forget sunscreen!
- If you have a chronic medical problem, call the experts at the New Jersey Poison Control Center or ask your doctor about how to deal with the heat.
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| Finding Ways to Beat the Heat! |
