Those who are at highest risk include people 65 and
older, children younger than 2, and people with chronic diseases or mental
illness.
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:
- Stay
in air-conditioned buildings as much as you can. Contact your local
health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area.
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.
- Do
not rely on a fan as your main cooling device during an extreme heat
event.
- 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.
- Don’t
use the stove or oven to cook—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.
- Wear
and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.
- Pace
your activity. Start activities slow 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:
- Schedule
workouts and practices earlier or later in the day when the
temperature is cooler.
- Monitor
a teammate’s condition, and have someone do the same for you.
- Seek
medical care right away if you or a teammate has symptoms of heat-related
illness.
- Learn
more about how to protect young athletes from heat-related illness by
taking this CDC course.
|
Everyone should take these
steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and death during hot
weather:
- Stay in an
air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can.
- Drink
plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Schedule
outdoor activities carefully.
- Wear
loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
- Pace
yourself.
- Take cool
showers or baths to cool down.
- Check on a
friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
- Never
leave children or pets in cars.
- Check
the local news for health and safety updates.
|