To Avoid Heat-Related Illnesses, Take Preventative Measures

When the scorching sun is just above our heads during the summer, it becomes important to learn about heat-related illnesses. Heatwaves are one of the leading causes of death in the United States each year, and this number only seems to be rising as global temperatures continue to increase.

For people to avoid heat-related illnesses, you should make sure you take preventative measures as follows:

Stay Cool: You should stay cool when you are outdoors. Whether this means avoiding exercise during high heat or staying indoors when it’s hot outside, everyone can benefit from taking steps to keep their body cool. Staying properly hydrated also helps maintain the body temperature during these hot months.

Wear light-colored clothes: You should wear light-colored clothing as much as possible, especially during the day. Darker colors absorb more sunlight than lighter ones, so wearing light colors will help keep your body cooler as they can reflect away all that extra heat.

Stay hydrated: It is important to stay adequately hydrated during these heatwaves because a lack of water can cause your body temperature to rise and increase your risk of dehydration. To prevent this from happening, try drinking a glass of water every hour or so, and you should avoid drinking alcohol because it can further dehydrate your body.

Use sunscreen: Sunscreen products are available at most drug stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies for purchase. You must look for a product with an SPF of 30 or higher so you can protect your skin against harmful UV rays. You should apply it 30 minutes before going outside and reapply it every two hours if you’re outdoors longer than this period.

Stay inside: If it’s too hot for exercise, do it indoors or in an air-conditioned building. You can also try swimming laps in a pool, if possible, around your area. Finally, you should avoid spending time outdoors when wildfires occur because smoke from these fires can make it difficult for your body to cool down and increase your risk of developing respiratory problems.

Never leave children alone in the cars: Even if you are only going to be gone for a short period, it is never a good idea to leave your child alone in the car during hot weather. This can lead to heatstroke or even death, and since children’s bodies have fewer sweat glands than adults, they cannot cool themselves as well as adults do when temperatures rise.

Related Article: Keeping Your Kids Active All Summer

So, there you have it! Any heat-related illness can be dangerous and should be taken seriously. Taking the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe during these times will greatly reduce your chance of developing health problems or getting in an accident due to the heat.

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