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Take steps to stay safe in the summer heat
- By Fernando Aceves
- Published 07/20/2010
- Commentary
- Unrated
It took awhile to get here, but here we are in mid-July, and we’ve finally been hit with the summer’s first serious heat wave. Temperatures across the Yakima Valley hit the 100-degree mark over this past weekend.
While those temperatures mean all sorts of summer fun—swimming, camping, cookouts and more—it is also important for everyone to take simple precautions during the hot days that lie ahead.
About 400 people die each year across the country due to the summer’s heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While everyone is at risk when temperatures reach 90 degrees and above, the elderly and young children often feel the dangerous affects the most, according to the American Red Cross.
Everyone should take precaution though, and take the potential risks very seriously. We can all enjoy everything that the summer has to offer, but here are some simple tips everyone can take to ensure an equal amount of fun and safety during the heat:
• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you, and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. Check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
Follow these steps, and stay cool and safe this summer. - F.A.
While those temperatures mean all sorts of summer fun—swimming, camping, cookouts and more—it is also important for everyone to take simple precautions during the hot days that lie ahead.
About 400 people die each year across the country due to the summer’s heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While everyone is at risk when temperatures reach 90 degrees and above, the elderly and young children often feel the dangerous affects the most, according to the American Red Cross.
Everyone should take precaution though, and take the potential risks very seriously. We can all enjoy everything that the summer has to offer, but here are some simple tips everyone can take to ensure an equal amount of fun and safety during the heat:
• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you, and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. Check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
Follow these steps, and stay cool and safe this summer. - F.A.