Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness

It’s already starting to get hot in the Golden Corner and summer doesn’t officially start until Thursday, June 21. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers these tips to stay cool as the temperature rise. Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Keep in mind that electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90’s, they will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or move to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home. Schedule outdoor activities carefully. Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover. Cut down on exercise during the heat. Wear sunscreen as sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. Avoid hot and heavy meals as they add heat to your body. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks as these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.