Hello Summer! As you’ve noticed, the weather has really heated up as the season progresses. It may feel as though we haven’t been given time to properly prepare for it, especially in homes that don’t have air conditioning. There are many things to keep track of when reaching these record high temperatures. Two of the most important things which we will tackle is how to stay cool and how to recognize heat stroke.

Many underestimate the heat and its negative effects on the body if not properly addressed. So we hope to share useful information to remedy that. This is important to note especially if you have elderly family or friends who may need assistance or reminding that they need to take such precautions during this season.

Water is your best friend so it’s good to try your best to drink an adequate amount of it per day to ensure you stay hydrated. Risking dehydration in this weather can lead to serious health risks. This can be prevented by drinking at least one glass of water with every meal. It is also a good idea to bring a reusable bottle with you to refill when you run out of your water supply.

Eating cold foods such as ice cream, popsicles, and other cold refreshments is recommended as well. Some people struggle with their appetite when they’re overheated, so be mindful that you’re not depriving yourself of food, either. Check in with your elder family members and monitor to see if their food intake is adequate as well.

Bathing in colder water is a great substitute for pool time when you aren’t able to access one. A regular shower schedule can help regulate your body temperature and keep you refreshed so you’re not sitting miserable in sweat and grime. In addition, hosing off your driveway and pavement has been shown to help cool the air around the house. It stops the cement from getting hot so quickly, thus any wind that passes by won’t carry that heat with it – at least within the general vicinity of your home. 

In that same vein, getting good airflow regardless of whether or not you have air conditioning is something to note as well. Turning fans on will promote a nice circulation that cools more as the day wears on. In addition, if you find that there is at least a little wind outside, opening the windows to let it in can make a huge difference. It may be tempting to close your blinds to keep the sun out, but try to leave them up to allow some ventilation.

When leaving the house, it may be a good idea to invest in a folding or a handheld electric fan so that regardless of where you are, there is access to some way to cool off. 

Should anyone find that the weather is overbearing in a way that negates attempts at the above solutions, be cautious that you aren’t about to or are currently dealing with heatstroke. Some telltale symptoms are: high body temperature, nausea/vomiting, rapid breathing, headache, and altered mental states or behaviors. It often can be difficult to tell when you cross the line from being simply exhausted and hot to dealing with this ailment. However, acting quickly in the event that you’re faced with heatstroke can lessen its repercussions.

Some of the effective interventions that can be done quickly are:

• Getting the afflicted out of the sun;
• Shedding any excess clothing;
• Cooling the individual by whatever means possible;
• Children and elderly who cannot always communicate what pains they’re experiencing should be prioritized as this could harm them more fatally if left untreated. 

With this knowledge, be sure to take care of yourself and those around you during this rise in temperature. Have fun and enjoy the sun! 

Article Written by: Ryshel Constantino

Images from Unsplash.com: Mineragua Sparkling Water & Jarritos Mexican Soda

Thank you to these talented photographers: Kenta Kikuchi, Victoria Druc, Angelo Pantazis, Jametlene Reskp, Camilo Jimenez, Janos Venczak, & Ben Hershey