The National Weather Service has
declared May 23 Beat the Heat Day. With temperatures easily reaching 110+
degrees here in Arizona, taking care of ourselves in the heat can be a matter
of life or death.
I moved to
Arizona during the summer from a much cooler climate. All I could think about
was how nice it felt. My mom, who hadn’t stopped fanning herself since we
arrived, looked at me and said, “What were you thinking? You can count on my
not visiting you during the summer.” I looked at her and just smiled.
I’ve always
enjoyed the heat. I’d rather be warm than cold. I was looking forward to being
able to exercise outside all year long, without worrying about being rained on
or snowed out. Not to mention, spending time at the pool or the lake for more
than two months each year.
However,
heat is not a laughing matter. It is one of the leading weather-related causes
of death in the United States. A person can get heat cramps, heat exhaustion,
and even heat stroke, which can lead to death. When it is very hot and humid
(like during Arizona’s monsoon season), the body cannot cool itself as
effectively. If one gets hot too quickly, or becomes dehydrated, the body’s
temperature rises to dangerous levels.
I learned
very quickly what I could and could not do in the heat. If I wanted to hike in
July, I started before the sun came up and kept it short. I rode my bike early
and kept it short as well. I made sure my workouts did not go past a certain
time in the morning. Because I learned what would happen if I didn’t pay
attention - a red face, cramps, dizziness, and feeling horrible the rest of the
day.
Thankfully,
I never got worse than that. But if I had kept going, I may have developed more
heat exhaustion symptoms – weakness and nausea, even passing out. Or worse, I
could have gotten heat stroke.
When it’s
hot, we need to think smart to keep ourselves safe:
·
Slow
down, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
o
Spend
less time outside.
o
Work
out in the cooler hours, or take your exercise indoors
o
Spend
time in air-conditioned places.
·
Stay
hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
o
Limit
alcoholic beverages.
·
Wear
lightweight, light-colored clothing.
o
Wear
a hat when outdoors to protect face and neck.
·
Never
leave children or pets alone in vehicles.
o
Check
that car seats and safety buckles aren’t too hot to burn skin.
o
Teach
children not to play in vehicles.
·
C Check
on people you know who do not have air conditioning.
We need to
be smart during the hot summer months, especially in Arizona. And count the
days until cooler weather comes our way.
For more
information on beating the heat and staying safe, visit Just
in Case Arizona, Ready.gov, National Weather Service, or
the CDC.
No comments:
Post a Comment