Staying Safe This Summer: How to Beat the Heat

As the weather turns warm and the schools empty out, many families start their summer travel adventures. Where are you going this year? To a theme park? Camping? Across the country to visit relatives? Just stay at home and enjoying company? Wherever you go, make sure that you take proper safety precautions especially in a light time such as summer.

The fact is that weather affects everyone, but heat can be particularly dangerous for the elderly, infants, and those who are overweight, sedentary, or ill. Even healthy people can make the wrong choices on a hot summer day. Each year hundreds of people die from heatstroke and thousands are hospitalized. According to researchers at the University of Delaware Center for Climatic Research, the continuing effects of global warming could cause an increase in heatstroke victims.

Heat Fatigue

Symptoms: weakness, fatigue, profuse sweating, light-headedness, confusion, shallow breathing, and rapid pulse. The skin is cool and moist to the touch.

Cause: prolonged exposure to hot and humid weather.

Treatment: rest in a cool place, and drink plenty of water.

Heat Cramps

Symptoms: muscle spasms in the legs and abdomen, heavy sweating. The skin is cool and clammy. In extreme cases the victim may have convulsions and/or lose consciousness. Caution: symptoms sometimes don't appear until later in the day.

Cause: water and mineral loss because of prolonged activity in hot weather without replenishment.

Treatment: stop exercising, rest in a cool place, and replace water and electrolytes by sipping a sports drink such as Gatorade. Most experts discourage taking salt tablets, but some recommend mixing a solution of one teaspoon salt to one gallon water and sipping it every 15 minutes for an hour or so. Follow this remedy with plenty of fresh water. Caution: Do not drink this salt solution unless there is fresh water available.

Prevention: drink plenty of water and electrolyte solutions throughout the day, and eat fresh fruits.

Heat Exhaustion (or Heat Prostration)