Acadian Ambulance Service Offers Tips on How to Stay Safe During Excessive Summer Heat

With much of our area facing extreme heat and dangerous heat indices, it’s important for everyone to take precaution against heat-related illness.

Each year, Acadian Ambulance responds to thousands of heat-related emergencies and dehydration calls. Especially vulnerable are young children, elderly people, and those with existing lung conditions such as asthma.

Acadian Ambulance shares the following safety tips to help everyone protect themselves and others this summer.

Clothing and Health

• Wear loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.

• Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.

• Apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to direction.

• Start hydrating before you go outside and stay hydrated throughout the day.

• Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages.

• Drinking sports drinks help replace valuable salt and minerals lost by sweating.

• Ensure that others with you stay hydrated as well.

• Take frequent rest breaks.

• Take cool showers or baths.

Medication Considerations

• Check your medication’s warnings to see if you need to take special precautions.

• Spend plenty of time inside or in the shade.

• Drink lots of water.

• Avoid alcohol and strenuous activity.

• Take cool showers.

• Keep taking your medication regularly and as prescribed.

Outdoors

• Never leave people or pets in a closed vehicle.

• Find shade.

• Try to avoid high-energy activities or work, especially during midday heat. Try to complete outdoor activities in the morning or evening, out of direct sun.

• If pets are outside, make sure they have plenty of cool water and access to comfortable shade. Keep food and water in the shade. Asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot to your pet’s feet.

Indoors

• Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home.

• If possible, seek an air-conditioned environment 

• If you don't have air conditioning, visit an air-conditioned public space or community cooling center..

• If possible, remain indoors in the heat of the day.

Others

• Check on family members, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly, at least twice a day and watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

• Make sure older adults have access to an electric fan whenever possible.

Heat Related Illness

Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both.

The most obvious symptom is thirst; however, you may also experience:

• Headache

• Eyes stop making tears

• Sweating may stop

• Muscle cramps

• Nausea and vomiting

• Heart palpitations

• Light-headedness (especially when standing)

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Heavy sweating

• Paleness

• Muscle Cramps

• Tiredness

• Weakness

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fainting

• Skin: May be cool and moist

• Pulse rate: Fast & weak

• Breathing: Fast & shallow

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and it is unable to cool down. Body temperatures rise to 106°F or higher within 10-15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Signs and symptoms of heat stroke:

• Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)

• Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)

• Rapid, strong pulse

• Throbbing headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea

More information available at https://acadianambulance.com/heat-safety/