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68℉Hot Weather Safety
While there are health benefits to moderate sun exposure, prolonged exposure to excessive heat can be dangerous. When outside temperatures are high, the danger for heat-related illnesses rises. Children, older adults, and individuals with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable. Always take precautions during periods of high heat.
Hot Weather Safety Tips
- Drink plenty of water. Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks because they can cause you to lose body fluids. Remember to keep your pets hydrated as well.
- Limit physical activity. Avoid physical activity during the hottest time of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you do choose to exercise, rest often in shady areas so that your body can recover.
- Stay in air-conditioned areas. While electric fans may provide comfort, they will not prevent heat-related illness. If your home doesn't have air conditioning, consider going to a cooling center. You can also cool off by taking a cool bath or shower.
- Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothes. Keep cool in lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing such as cotton, so sweat can evaporate.
- Never leave a child or pet in a vehicle. Heat stroke can happen when the outside temperature is as low as 60°F and cracking a window or using air conditioning does little to keep a car cool once it's turned off. Additionally, it is illegal to leave an infant or child unattended in a vehicle.
- Do not bundle babies in blankets or heavy clothing. Infants do not tolerate heat well because their sweat glands are not fully developed.
- Wear protection when outdoors. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when outdoors. Sunburns can affect your body’s ability to cool down and can contribute to dehydration.
- Stay informed. Check your local news for extreme heat alerts and to learn about cooling shelters in your area.
- Monitor those at high risk. Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, children, older adults, and individuals with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable. Take extra care to monitor vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors.
SJFD's Firefighter Paramedic Kenneth Allen shares with us four sunscreen tips to help keep you safe and healthy in the sun.
Heat-Related Illness Signs & Symptoms
| Illness |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Rash |
1. Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples on the skin (usually on the neck, chest, groin, or in elbow creases) |
1. Stay in a cool, dry place 2. Keep the rash dry 3. Use powder (i.e., baby powder) to soothe the rash |
| Heat Cramp |
1. Heavy sweating during intense exercise 2. Muscle pain or spasms |
1. Stop physical activity and move to a cool place 4. Get medical help right away if cramps last longer than one hour, you're on a low-sodium diet, or you have heart problems |
| Sun Burn |
1. Painful, red, and warm skin 2. Blisters on the skin |
1. Stay out of the sun until your sunburn heals 2. Put cool cloths on sunburned areas or take a cool bath 3. Put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas 4. Do not break blisters |
| Heat Stroke |
1. High body temperature (103°F or higher) 2. Hot, red, dry, or damp skin 3. Fast, strong pulse 4. Headache 5. Dizziness 6. Nausea 7. Confusion |
1. Call 9-1-1 right away 2. Move the person to a cooler place 3. Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath 4. Do not give the person anything to drink |
| Heat Exhaustion |
1. Heavy sweating 2. Cold, pale, and clammy skin 3. Fast, weak pulse 4. Nausea or vomiting 5. Muscle cramps 6. Tiredness or weakness 7. Dizziness 8. Headache 9. Fainting |
1. Move to a cool place 6. Get medical help right away if you are vomiting, your symptoms get worse, or your symptoms last longer than one hour |