The mercury’s rising, and with it so are the dangers to you and your family. Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year and even more heat-related illnesses.
It’s not only people who are susceptible to the hot temperatures. Pets are vulnerable too.
To keep your family and pets well, follow these hot weather safety tips:
- Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors, and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
- Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat.
- Eat light. Choose easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack; don’t leave it sitting in the sun. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
- Drink plenty of cool, not cold, water. Stay away from alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you.
- Use air conditioners if you have them in your home. If not, spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries.
- Use portable electric fans to cool down spaces, but don’t direct the airflow toward yourself when the room temperature is hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
- Minimize direct sun exposure. Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
- Take a cool bath or shower.
- Do not take salt tablets unless recommended by a physician.
- Never leave children, disabled adults, or pets in the car. Vehicles heat up quickly, and this can be fatal.
- If you have a toddler, lock your cars, even in your driveway to prevent them from getting into the vehicle.
- To make sure you have access to help in an emergency, protect your electronics. Don’t leave cell phones and GPS units sitting in hot cars.
- Limit pet exercise to morning or evening hours.
- Provide your pets constant access to shade and water.
- Limit pet exposure to hot asphalt to prevent their paws from burning.
- Limit your pet’s sun exposure — they can get sunburned too, especially those that are white, hairless, or have light-colored fur.
- Watch for signs of heatstroke in people and pets.
Visit the CDC for more heat health tips.
