Summer may not officially begin until Monday, but there is no mistaking that Bryan County is in the middle of a pre-summer heat wave.
Bryan County Health Department officials are reminding residents that with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s and heat indices topping 100 degrees, proper precautions should be taken to avoid heat-related illness.
Health officials offer the following tips for preventing heat-related illnesses:
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink fluids. Drink more fluids regardless of your activity.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar. These actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a store or library. Even a few hours in air conditioning can help you stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
It’s also important to remember that infants, children, and those 65 and older are at increased risk for heat-related illness. Limiting outdoor activity to morning and evening hours, wearing sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, and exercising indoors, are other ways for people of all ages to avoid getting heat-related illness.
For more information, go to http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/
Bryan County Health Department officials are reminding residents that with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s and heat indices topping 100 degrees, proper precautions should be taken to avoid heat-related illness.
Health officials offer the following tips for preventing heat-related illnesses:
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink fluids. Drink more fluids regardless of your activity.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar. These actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a store or library. Even a few hours in air conditioning can help you stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
It’s also important to remember that infants, children, and those 65 and older are at increased risk for heat-related illness. Limiting outdoor activity to morning and evening hours, wearing sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, and exercising indoors, are other ways for people of all ages to avoid getting heat-related illness.
For more information, go to http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/