With temperatures rising and schools letting out, it’s clear that summer is almost here! Get ready to enjoy summer safely by taking a look at today’s tips for beating the heat and check back later this week for some valuable information on what to do in the case of a heat-related emergency.
Beat the heat by:
- Drinking plenty of water: Carry water with you and drink continuously even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine; these can dehydrate your body.
- Dressing appropriately for the heat: Wear light-weight, light-colored clothing. It’s also a good idea to wear hats or use an umbrella when spending time outdoors. Additionally, using anti-UV (ultraviolet) sunglasses can help protect your eyes from the sun.
- Wearing sunscreen: Wearing sunscreen will protect your skin from sunburn and long term sun damage. These products help absorb or reflect the sun’s ultraviolet rays. You should apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before stepping out into the sun and reapply every 2 hours while your skin remains exposed to the sun. Products with a higher SPF (Sun Protection Factor) provide greater protection from the sun’s damaging rays.
- Staying indoors whenever possible: Stay inside as much as you can. If you do not have air conditioning and it’s really hot outside, considering spending some time in a public air conditioned place like a mall or public library. When you do need to go outside for work or fun, keep in mind that the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10am to 4pm and that the coolest part of the day is in the morning between 4am and 7am. Avoid strenuous work or activities during the hottest part of the day, if you can. Whenever you are active outside on a hot day take frequent breaks to find shade or a cool place to rest and drink plenty of water.
- Being a good neighbor: Check on the elderly residents in your neighborhood and those that do not have air conditioning.
- Keeping your pets in mind as well: Your pets also need plenty of shade and fresh water to drink on hot days! Do not leave your pets, or anyone else, in a closed, parked vehicle.
Taking these steps should help you stay safe as the temperatures rise this summer!
For more information about heat safety, please see:
- The American Red Cross’ ‘Heat Wave Safety Checklist‘, also available in Spanish
- Information about heat reporting and heat safety from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
