Summer Heat Safety Tips

Who Is At the Most Risk for Summer Heat Exposure?

Anyone can be affected by the heat of the summer sun. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that excessive heat exposure, “Caused 8,015 deaths in the United States” from 1979-2003. That’s more deaths due to heat exposure than from all the major natural disasters combined, including hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes.

That said, everyone can benefit from summer heat safety tips. However, some populations are at more risk than others for heat exposure.

The individuals most at risk of summer heat exposure include the elderly, babies and toddlers, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases.

Individuals Facing A High Risk for Heat Exposure Need Extra Help

The best way to help individuals at a higher risk of heat exposure to stay safe, is to pay very close attention to them.

Helping elderly individuals avoid heat exposure includes tactics such as:

• During the hottest summer months the CDC recommends visiting elderly family or friends twice a day.
• Make sure your area activates telephone heat hotlines.
• Help your elderly pal to get to know the neighbors – isolated elderly adults are at a much higher risk of heat related health problems and death.
• Initiate public community center solutions that one, have air conditioning, and two, provide transportation for elderly individuals.
• Work with utility company to ensure that electricity is not shut off during the hottest summer days.
• Provide on-going education to all elderly individuals. Go over topics such as heat exposure related symptoms and where to call for help.

Some states and cities are even starting some great programs like The City of Philadelphia's Cool Homes Program, which provides cooling solutions for elderly low-income residents. Try to find out if options like this exist in your area by checking with the local utility companies or your local chamber of commerce.

staying safe in the sun is also important for children. To help children avoid heat exposure use the following tactic:

Supervision: There’s really not a better solution that proper supervision for summer season safety. Children rely on adults to tell them when to come inside, when to drink water, and what sort of clothing to wear. Make sure that your child is always supervised in hot weather. If your child is under someone else’s care, make sure they’re responsible. It doesn’t take long for a child’s small body to become overheated.

Basic Summer Heat Safety Tips for Everyone

Everyone should follow these basic heat safety tips in order to avoid heat exposure and possible death. Try especially hard to make sure that at risk individuals follow theses tips religiously.

• During the hottest hours of the day, stay inside. If possible stay inside an air-conditioned building. The hottest hours of the day are typically from mid morning to mid afternoon.
• Dress lightly and when sleeping use lightweight breathable covers.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
• People who live in homes with no air conditioning should keep blinds closed from morning until the late afternoon to block extra direct heat from sunlight. Also, stay on the lowest level of your home.
• Use a fan. Don’t place the fan directly in front of a window because it may push hot air in. Try placing the fan so that it blows in the room and out the window instead.
• Move your exercise routine to early morning or later in the evening – even swimming. swimming pool dangers related to heat exposure do occur.
• Never ever leave anyone in the car while you run to do a quick errand. Not a pet, not a child, not anyone. It’s never safe. Cars can become overheated quickly and when overheated become like ovens. People can succumb to heat exposure and death very quickly in a hot car.

Lastly, it’s smart to know the signs of heat exposure. Just in case. Even if you’re trying to follow the above summer heat safety tips, mistakes can happen. For example, if you happen to be at the park, and forget the time, someone may become overheated. Heat exhaustion signs will appear first, and then heat exposure signs.

The signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Clammy skin
• Loss of color in skin
• Sweating
• A tired, overestimated look on someone’s face
• Dry mouth
• Headache

Also watch for thirst. Research shows that people should never technically get thirsty. If you feel thirsty, there’s a good chance you’re already too dehydrated. If you see any of the above exhaustion signs get out of the heat immediately. Give the person plenty of cool fluids and wipe them down with cool cloths. If they don’t improve rapidly call 911.

The signs of major heat exposure, also known as heat stroke, includes:

• High body temperatures – (over 103 degrees F)
• Confusion
• Poor breathing – if you can’t hear a person breathing it can indicate a problem
• Seizures
• The person has stopped sweating
• Weak pulse
• Hot dry skin to the touch
• Fainting or total loss of consciousness

If you see any of the above exposure signs get the person out of the heat immediately and take them to the nearest hospital or call 911. Heat stroke always requires medical attention.