(Beaver Falls, Pa.) With the high heat and humidity Beaver County Radio has some tips for you to help you stay safe and recognize if others are suffering and need medical help.
Those who are at highest risk include people 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic diseases or mental illness are at a greater risk for heat-related illness. You can take the following protective actions to prevent illness or death:
Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as you can. Air-conditioning is the number one way to protect yourself against heat-related illness and death. If your home is not air-conditioned, reduce your risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air conditioned and using air conditioning in vehicles. You can go to local cooling centers. Do not rely on a fan as your main cooling device during an extreme heat event.
Some tips for the heat to help you stay healthy are
Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
Limit use of the stove and oven—it will make you and your house hotter.
Even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather:
Limit your outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
Pace your activity. Start activities slowly and pick up the pace gradually.
Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
If you play a sport that practices during hot weather, protect yourself and look out for your teammates:
Closely monitor people who depend on you for their care and ask these questions:
Are they drinking enough water?
Do they have access to air conditioning?
Do they need help keeping cool?
People at greatest risk for heat-related illness can take the following protective actions to prevent illness or death: