During summer, outdoor activities—sports, yard work or just enjoying the outdoors—become commonplace. The warmth of the sun and the fun of the activity keep everyone energized. However, there are dangers involved with the heat and rising temperatures.
In fact, according to the National Weather Service, more than 250 deaths and 1,500 injuries were attributed to heat in 2006 in the United States. Additionally, it is estimated heat caused nearly $500 million in damage to crops.
“The number one thing people can do to help prevent injury or illness, especially if they must be outside in the heat for a prolonged period of time, is to drink plenty of water,” says Jimmy Maass, Safety Coordinator at Farm Bureau Insurance. “Heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke are all common ailments in the summer. People can greatly reduce these risks and effects by ensuring they are properly hydrated.”
Maass provides the following tips to help people beat the heat when the next wave of soaring temperatures hits the Commonwealth:
- Schedule physical activity, such as mowing the lawn or jogging, for cooler times. Early morning or evenings are best to avoid the direct sun and the heat of the day.
- If you must work, take frequent breaks in the shade and continue to drink water. Once you feel thirsty, you are already becoming dehydrated.
- Dress in loose-fitting, light clothing and a wide-brimmed hat if at all possible. Be sure to use sunscreen with an SPF greater than 15. Even on a cloudy day, you can be sunburned quickly.
- Slow it down. If at all possible, postpone or reduce outdoor activity that would occur in the heat. Take it easy. If you must be in the heat, give your body some time to acclimate itself to the change in temperature.
- Eat smaller meals and more often.
- It is never safe to leave anyone, especially a child, an elderly or sick person, or pet alone or unattended in a vehicle. Even on days that appear to be mild, a car with its windows rolled up functions more like an oven and can impact at-risk people and animals very quickly.
“Another key to avoiding problems during the heat is to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages,” says Maass. “In addition to the judgment impairments associated with alcohol, it actually speeds dehydration instead of quenching thirst.”
The best way to avoid the heat is to remain indoors as much as possible. When inside, try to conserve energy. The extreme heat may mean you will be running your air conditioner at a higher level and for more time. Some other things to keep in mind:
- Keep vents clean and change the filter regularly to keep your system as efficient as possible.
- Lower floors of the house will typically be cooler, so spending more time there will help you keep the air conditioner at a more moderate temperature.
- Be smart about the use of appliances and reduce the use of stoves or other items that produce heat. A power outage due to overuse will only make things worse.
When combined with the excitement generated with all the activity of summer, it is easy to forget the basics. Overexertion in the sun is one of them; however, if you take the risks seriously and keep hydrated, summer fun will remain just that: fun.