NEWS YOU CAN USE

What To Do When Heat Index is High

Drink More Fluids

·        Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.Bring a reusable water bottle with you to maintain hydration. If you’re atwork, you could bring a drinking glass and pitcher and fill itevery morning.

·        If you’re older, be especially careful to drink fluids becausethe amount of water retained by the body decreases with age.

·        Avoid salt tablets, if possible. If your doctor has you on waterpills, ask him or her how much you should drink.

·        Don’t drink liquids with dehydrating caffeine, alcohol, or largeamounts of sugar. Avoid very cold drinks.

·        At family events and reunions, bring a cooler ofcool drinks.

·        Cut back on exercising on hot days; if you must exercise, drinktwo to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.

Keep YourBody Cool

·        Dress in lightweight, light-colored clothing and sun-reflectiveshirts. Wear loose clothing.

·        Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Keep a stash of hats onhand for friends and family!

·        According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fans mayprovide comfort, but they do not prevent heat-related illnesses when thetemperature is in the high 90s. Take a cool shower or bath, or move to anair-conditioned place to cool off.

·        Stay in the shade, especially between 11 A.M. and 3 P.M.

·        Avoid strenuous activities during the heat of the day.

·        Never leave anyone in a parked vehicle with the windowsclosed or open.

·        To feel cooler, eat cooler. Reduce your protein intake.

·        Open your house to the breeze after sunset and leave it openuntil dawn.

·        In the early morning, draw the shades before the temperaturestarts to rise.

ProtectYourself From the Sun

·        Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes it difficult for your bodyto dissipate heat.

·        In addition to a hat and sunglasses, wear sunscreen SPF 15 orhigher. The most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB” on the label.

Stay Alert

·        Be aware of heavy sweating, hot and dry skin, rapid pulse, paleor clammy skin, and/or cramps in your leg or abdomen muscles. All could besigns of heat disorder.

·        If you are older, it’s wise to keep medical information readilyavailable, including phone numbers of health care providers and copies of yourprescription and health insurance cards.

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