With the Independence Day weekend coming up, a lot of people will head outside to participate in cookouts, community events and fireworks.
The National Weather Service puts this weekend’s heat risk level at “major” – meaning it “affects anyone without cooling/hydration as well as health systems and industries.”
The Centers for Disease Control and National Weather Service offer these guidelines to stay safe during the heat.
Stay hydrated. Carry a water bottle, drink and refill it throughout the day. Limit beverages high in sugars, sodium and caffeine as well as alcohol.
Know the symptoms of heat related illness such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include muscle cramps, unusually heavy sweating, clammy skin, shortness of breath, thirst, dizziness, headaches, weakness and nausea.
Heatstroke happens when body temperature rises quickly and a person can’t cool down. It can be life-threatening by causing damage to the brain and other vital organs. It may be caused by doing strenuous activity in the heat or by being in a hot place for too long. Heatstroke can happen without having any previous heat-related condition, such as heat exhaustion, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Heatstroke can cause confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, hot, dry skin or profuse sweating, seizures, very high body temperature and death.
Some people are more susceptible to heat-related illness including children especially those with asthma, people with heart disease, people ov4r 65 years old, those working or exercising outdoors and pregnant women. Some medications may make people more sensitive to the heat.
If anyone shows these signs, seek medical treatment.
Move the person to a shaded, cool area and remove any excess outer clothing; try to cool the person down with cool water or an ice bath; wet the skin or place cold wet cloths on the skin, soak clothing with cool water. If they are conscious, give them chilled water to drink, a sports drink containing electrolytes or another nonalcoholic beverage without caffeine.
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